A bizarre second half own goal by Palace ‘keeper Vicente Guaita was all that separated the two sides in a game which saw Joel Ward red-carded for a foul on Enda Stevens – only for referee Andy Madley to downgrade it to a yellow after consulting the pitchside monitor following VAR intervention.
Here’s how our Blades reporter Danny Hall rated each United player after today’s game.
1. Dean Henderson - 7
Wasn’t peppered with shots but did what he had to do very well. One strong save from McArthur was probably the pick of the bunch to his right. Photo: IAN KINGTON
2. George Baldock - 7
Went into the book in the first half after tangling with Zaha down the Palace left and escaped a red card after bringing him down again soon after. Photo: Paul Terry
3. Chris Basham - 8
Brilliant tackle on the edge of his own box denied McArthur and looked to have caused Basham some discomfort in the process. Sported a fetching headband after clash of heads with Benteke Photo: Paul Terry
4. John Egan - 8
Absolutely flattened James McArthur in his follow through after winning a header in the second half and may feel he could have done better with a late chance from a corner to make it 2-0 Photo: Paul Terry