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Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace (AET): Jesse Lingard nets extra-time winner in FA Cup final to save Louis van Gaal's season
- Manchester United scored an extra-time winner to beat Crystal palace 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley
- Connor Wickham had a goal disallowed after referee Mark Clattenburg failed to play advantage
- Substitute Jason Puncheon opened the scoring with a well struck volley in the second half
- Eagles' celebrations were short-lived as Juan Mata drilled home the equaliser only minutes later
- Chris Smalling was sent off for a second offence after hauling down Yannick Bolasie in extra-time
- Jesse Lingard scored an extra-time winner with an exceptional volley to claim the trophy
It may as well have been 1990 revisited. All it lacked was the replay. But the central themes, the board narrative and the plot lines were just as they were 26 years ago.
There was the south London hero coming off the bench to breathe life into Palace so that they dared to hope; there was the subsequent heartache, and the United comeback; and there was the beleaguered manager parading an FA Cup as vindication of his regime.
Louis van Gaal may not get another 23 years after this final as Sir Alex Ferguson did, but if this does prove to be his last game at the club, he at least delivered in the manner in which we have come to expect.
Jesse Lingard strips off his shirt after scoring an extra-time winner to claim the FA Cup with a 2-1 defeat of Crystal Palace
Substitute Lingard netted the winner despite Manchester United being reduced to 10-men after Chris Smalling saw red in extra-time
The lid of the FA Cup goes flying as Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick lift the famous trophy at Wembley
Rooney (centre) leads the celebrations as the champagne sprays after Manchester United's FA Cup final victory
Manager Louis van Gaal is applauded as he hoists the trophy after what may yet be his final game in charge of United
Manchester United players celebrate on the pitch after winning their first silverware since Sir Alex Ferguson retired
Manchester United responded to Palace's opening goal within minutes with Juan Mata netting the equaliser
The Spain playmaker leaps at the corner flag to celebrate drawing Manchester United level in the FA Cup final
Substitute Jason Puncheon celebrates with team-mates after coming on to smash home the opening goal for Crystal Palace
Manchester United keeper David de Gea is beaten by the sheer force of Puncheon's volley on 78 minutes
Not gloriously, with smooth, delightful football. But at least with one of his own fledglings, Jesse Lingard delivering a stunning winning goal, 20 minutes into extra time, just as United seemed to be crumbling, with Chris Smalling sent off.
Lindgard’s strike from Damien Delany’s clearance was something quite glorious with which to cap van Gaal’s reign, if this is to prove his end. Perhaps not in keeping with the previous two years, but for sheer belligerence alone, he perhaps merited this.
That they did it was no thanks to Chris Smalling. Extra time had been a scrappy, nervy affair. Wilfired Zaha had tempted Daley Blind into a rash challenge in the opening minute but the Dutchman escaped conceding a penalty. Lingard’s shot deflected off Pape Souare and on to the roof of the net. And Yannick Bolasie’s shot from outside the box was touched away by De Gea.
Yet the chief drama in the first period came when Bolasie spun past Smalling, who grappled, grabbed and finally pulled his boot back as he dashed away. A second yellow card was inevitable and Smalling went. Palace had fifteen minutes to make the advantage count. They sensed their moment. Dwight Gayle was played in, had a second to shoot but found De Gea equal to his strike.
From that moment, it slipped away from them. It was cruel on Palace who had emulated the 1990 heroics in many ways. Jason Puncheon was Ian Wright, the south-London hero this time, the man who grew on Clifton Road, literally a block away from Selhurst Park, who rose from the bench on 71 minutes and put Palace ahead with a finish of which Wright would have been proud from Joel Ward’s lofted pass.
From a fiendishly-difficult angle he controlled the ball and fairly smashed inside David de Gea on 78 minutes. It sparked a degree of pandemonium. Alan Pardew broke into a bout of dad dancing on the touchline. John Travolta it was not; it was forgivable, however. Palace were twelve minutes from something historic.
It was Juan Mata who provided the heartache this time, not Mark Hughes. Palace had only enjoyed their lead for two minutes when Wayne Rooney set off on a run from his midfield position. No-one seemed to confront him as he continued into the box, crossed and found Fellaini. His chest down fell perfectly for Mata, who struck. Even then Ward, on the line, should have kept it out but somehow allowed it through
Wilfried Zaha (right) is consoled by Crystal Palace team-mate Puncheon after getting emotional in the build up to the game
Pop star Tinnie Tempah (centre, right) got proceedings underway with a pre-match performance from the pitch at Wembley
United manager Louis van Gaal speaks with Rooney as they line up with mascots, including Rooney's son Kai (front, centre)
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, shakes hands with Crystal Palace playmaker Yohan Cabaye ahead of kick-off
Crystal Palace midfielder Cabaye holds off Michael Carrick (right) under pressure from Manchester United's Antonio Valencia (left)
Marouane Fellaini (top left) dives in for a brave header as Manchester United dominate the opening exchanges
The Belgium international reacts after spurning an early opportunity to head Manchester United into the lead
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney was tasked with dictating play from midfield in his new deeper role
Manchester United youngster Anthony Martial (right) sees his shot blocked by Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward (left)
Teenage sensation Marcus Rashford (right), who has been called into England's Euro 2016 squad, evades a challenge
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling (left) was cautioned for bringing down Crystal Palace's Connor Wickham
Wickham finds the back of the net but Crystal Palace are denied the opening goal after the referee failed to play the advantage
Juan Mata of Manchester United watches as his drilled shot is superbly saved by Hennessey's fingertips
Fellaini misses another opportunity to hand Manchester United the lead when his header sails over Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey
Fellaini holds his head in his hands as Hennessey regroups Crystal Palace's defence during the first half
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew issues instructions to his players from the sidelines of the pitch
Rooney brings the ball down acrobatically as Manchester United labour towards a goalless first half
Crystal Palace keeper Hennessey comes out to punch clear as United dominate possession without reward
Former Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha (centre) speeds away from Rooney and Daley Blind (left)
Manchester United captain Rooney escaped punishment after upending Zaha with a last ditch challenge in the area
Pardew speaks to referee Mark Clattenburg after several decisions go against Crystal Palace during a goalless first half
Much of the game had played out as might have been predicted: United dominated possession but Palace looked potent when allowed to counter attack. Marcus Rashford was explosive and energetic – how much more lame would United’s season be without his emergence? – but the two clearest early chances came from Daley Blind corners and Marouane Fellaini headers.
The first on 11 minutes glanced wide; the second, on 26 minutes was even more straightforward and was again directed wide. Juan Mata had a deflected shot well saved by Wayne Hennessy on 22 minutes Then Rashford, wo was already giving Souare an afternoon to forget, then rode Damien Delaney’s challenge to burst through on 34 minutes and squared for Anthony Martial, whose goal-bound shot was deflected by Joel ward.
Yet the half was dominated by the curious case of Mark Clattenburg, usually a fine referee and one entrusted with the Champions League final next weekend. Here he had a dreadful time. When Conor Wickham attacked Chris Smalling on 18 minutes, he always looked to have his beating. Even when he stumbled, you could sense he could take it his stride and he did so, cutting in past the despairing Blind for a clear strike at goal. With just David de Gea to beat, he duly finished but by that time Clattenburg had whistled for a Palace free kick, when an advantage could have easily been played.
The errors would get worse. The penalty call for Wayne Rooney’s tackle on Wilfried Zaha on 35 minutes was admittedly more marginal, though it appeared Zaha lost his balance as Rooney mis-timed his tackle.
Yet Clattenburg called back Ward, who was chasing down Marcos Rojo and looked to have his beating to head through on goal on 44minutes, merely to book the Argentinian, it looked as though Alan Pardew might spontaneously combust on the touchline. Ignition point came a minute later when Mata clattered into Souare was also booked. Palace’s most dangerous weapon, their counter attacking ability, was being stymied not by United but by Clattenburg. He would add to his fa later by failing to award Rooney a justified second yellow card in extra time for a foul on Puncheon.
Fellaini is once again denied the opening goal for United after his shot smashes against the Crystal Palace woodwork
France international Martial wins a header on goal as Manchester United start the second half brightly
Martial (right) watches as his header clips the outside of the post as Manchester United exert pressure in the second half
Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney (second left) goes in for a crunching challenge on United's Marcos Rojo
The Argentina defender receives medical attention after the challenge but was able to continue
Rashford cast doubt over his England hopes after being forced off the field with an injury in the second-half
Puncheon recovered from the disappointment of being left out of the starting line-up by coming on to score the opener
The Crystal palace midfielder celebrates scoring the opening goal by leaping into the arms of Yannick Bolasie
Crystal Palace supporters rejoice in the stands as Puncheon celebrates giving the underdogs an unexpected lead
Manchester United responded to Palace's opener almost immediately as Mata (right) drilled home the equaliser
The Spanish playmaker leaps in the air to celebrate his equaliser as supporters around the stadium go wild
Mata is crowded by Manchester United team-mates after bringing his side back into the game within three minutes
Manchester United manager Van Gaal cuts a frantic figure as he instructs his players heading into extra-time
Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie appeals after being hauled down by Chris Smalling in extra-time
Referee Clattenburg has no choice but to send off Smalling for a second bookable offence
England international Lingard watches as his superbly struck volley flies into Crystal Palace's net to win the final
The Manchester United forward cannot contain his excitement as he whips off his shirt to celebrate his winner
Dwight Gayle slumps to the ground after the final whistle knowing he wasted a late chance to change the game
The ticker tape falls as Manchester United players lift the FA Cup trophy after victory against Crystal Palace
Van Gaal takes in the atmosphere after ending Manchester United's season on a high with victory in the FA Cup final
The pattern resumed after the re-start. Fellaini was quick on to a loose ball on 53 minutes and froma sharp angle crashed the ball against the post. Mile Jedinak had his chance on 55 minutes, the ball dropping nicely from a free kick, but he shot wastefully over.
And then a lovely combination: a fine cross from Antonio Valencia followed by a superb header, leaning backwards, stooping yet executed with power, from Martial, which beat Hennessy but which deflected off the post.
Delaney struck back, connecting with a loose clearance and volleying just over and on to the roof of the net. And Pardew’s men would have been encouraged when Rashford limped off on 72 minutes; he had been United’s most potent threat. Encouragement and endeavour though would not prove enough; Lindgard would see to that.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3602509/Manchester-United-2-1-Crystal-Palace-AET-Jesse-Lingard-nets-extra-time-winner-FA-Cup-final-save-Louis-van-Gaal-s-season.html#ixzz49K2GkNUY
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