Man United climb to third, Fulham sink sorry Spurs

Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes (left) congratulates teammate #30 Benjamin Sesko after the second goal during the English Premier League football match against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on Sunday. Photo: Darren Staples / AFP Benjamin Sesko stretched his hot streak with the winning goal as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to go third in the Premier League, while Tottenham failed to dispel relegation fears after defeat at Fulham. Palace had taken an early lead at Old Trafford when Maxence Lacroix outmuscled Leny Yoro to guide in a header from Brennan Johnson’s corner.

But United hit back to remain unbeaten under Carrick and take their tally to 19 points from a possible 21. The game swung on one incident as Lacroix was sent off and conceded a penalty for pulling back Matheus Cunha just before the hour mark. Bruno Fernandes confidently stroked the resulting spot-kick past former team-mate Dean Henderson.

Fernandes was then the creator for the second as his curling cross was powered in by Sesko. The Slovenian has now scored seven times in his last eight appearances to quieten critics of his £74 million ($100 million) price tag after a slow start to his career in England. “It feels like a big result,” said Fernandes.

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“We were behind and had to show some character.” Tottenham remain perilously poised just four points above the relegation zone as interim boss Igor Tudor again failed to halt their alarming slide after a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage. “We were not good, (we) lacked everything attacking and defending,” said Tudor after two defeats in his two games in charge.

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