Patrick Viera: “Palace deserved the point”

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Viera has stated that his team deserved the one point salvaged on Wednesday night in their Premier League game against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace welcomed the Red Devils, who were in hot form and unbeaten in their last eight games, to Selhurst Park in a rescheduled encounter.

Erik Ten Hag’s side had won all eight games played since the end of the FIFA World Cup, including a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the derby last weekend.

A win at Selhurst Park would have put Manchester United in second place above Manchester City and six points away from Arsenal at the top of the table and who will be their next opponent at the weekend.

Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for United 43 minutes into the game and just before half-time. United thought they were on their way to all three points until a spectacular free-kick from 30 yards out from Michael Olise secured a point for Crystal Palace.

The 1-1 draw put a stop to Crystal Palace’s three-match losing streak in all competitions, and their French manager believes that the team did well enough to get the one point.

“I think we deserved the point. Really challenging against a really good side. We found it difficult to close them down, but we managed to stay in the game. In the last 15 minutes, we put pressure on them. Michael scored that free-kick. It was tough, we worked hard, and we got rewarded.” Viera said.

While Manchester United will travel to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal at the weekend in the Premier League, Crystal Palace will be at home to high-flying Newcastle United.

The Red Devils will have to play the game in North London without their impressive Brazilian midfielder and summer transfer signing from Real Madrid, Casemiro, after he was yellow carded, his fifth this season and one that will see him suspended for a game.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu