BIC begins final P23 30-day countdown SPORTS 2424 Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Matic stunner seals United comeback London promising start. emanja Matic struck in Townsend put them ahead in stoppage time as Manchester the 11th minute. The improving NUnited came from two goals down Christian Benteke played a square to secure a vital 3-2 victory at ball to the winger on the edge of Crystal Palace. the area from where his well-struck An unconvincing start from shot flew beyond goalkeeper David Jose Mourinho’s team contributed De Gea via a significant deflection to goals from Andros Townsend off Victor Lindelof. and Patrick van Aanholt -- the They threatened again before second shortly after half-time -- half-time and were rarely but after repeatedly threatening stretched, but it took until three they snatched all three points minutes after the restart for the through Chris Smalling, Romelu Eagles to double their advantage. Lukaku and then Matic. From a quickly-taken free kick, United’s initial sluggishness Schlupp sent Van Aanholt through suggested they were distracted on goal and, despite suspicions of by the prospect of Saturday’s offside, his cool finish beat De Gea. fixture with rivals Liverpool, but Mourinho had at half-time they fought back convincingly, introduced Marcus Rashford for extending Palace’s winless run to Scott McTominay and adopted a more attacking shape, and after Palace went 2-0 up it began to show. six and denying them a Smalling had already gone win that would have taken them close when, in the 55th minute, from 18th to 13th in the Premier he gave them League. the lift they While avoiding a first-ever needed with Premier League defeat by Palace, United’s first United also moved ahead of goal. Antonio Liverpool and up to second while Valencia continuing to build the sense of picked him momentum that began with their out with a fine recent victory over Chelsea. cross from the edge Roy Hodgson’s team, who this of the area and, under minimal season at Selhurst Park had held pressure, he headed the ball back runaway leaders Manchester City, across Palace goalkeeper Wayne were without the on-loan Timothy Hennessey and into the back of Fosu-Mensah, ineligible against the net. his parent club. Matic then saw an effort cleared Amid injuries to 10 senior off the line by Benteke before, in players they again had Martin the 76th minute, his fellow Belgian Kelly and Jeffrey Schlupp available, Lukaku found the vital equalising and both started as they made a goal. (PA Sport) Nemanja Matic (R) celebrates scoring Manchester United’s winner against Crystal Palace (Pic courtesy: theguardian) Hon.Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Responsible Editor Mahmood AI Mahmood | Managing Editor Soman Baby | Managing Director P. Unnikrishnan | Adviser Med Jones Advt : Strategic Publicity & Advertising Co.W.L.L | Tel: 17270710, Fax17256470, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 17579911, Fax17250150, Email: [email protected] Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing | Subscription & circulation: Tel: 38444698/17579877/Fax17250150, Email:[email protected] | Website: www.dt.bh.