ANTHONY KNOCKAERT’S STUNNING goal secured a 2-1 Premier League win for Brighton and Hove Albion against rivals Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this afternoon.
The game appeared to be petering out for a draw before Knockaert picked up the ball on the right in the 74th minute, waltzed inside and whipped a delightful finish in off Vicente Guaita’s right-hand post.
Glenn Murray’s 100th league goal for the Seagulls had put Chris Hughton’s side ahead in the 19th minute before Luka Milivojevic’s eighth penalty of the season pulled the hosts level five minutes after the restart.
Palace looked more likely to find a winner after that but Knockaert had other ideas, curling in his second league goal of the season to move Brighton level on points with Roy Hodgson’s men.
After a combative, if uneventful, start Brighton forged ahead after 19 minutes.
James Tomkins made a mess of Lewis Dunk’s hopeful punt upfield, heading into the path of Murray, who unleashed a superb half-volley across Guaita into the bottom-left corner.
Mat Ryan pawed away Tomkins’ header soon after, while Jeffrey Schlupp hooked wide from close-range as Palace belatedly woke from their slumber.
The hosts pulled level five minutes after the restart, Milivojevic stroking home from 12 yards after Davy Propper’s trip on Andros Townsend.
Wilfried Zaha posed a constant threat for the Seagulls’ backline as Palace pushed for a winner but it was the visitors’ mercurial winger who had the decisive say.
Knockaert’s glorious strike 16 minutes from time gave Guaita no chance and has gone some way to relieving any lingering relegation doubts surrounding Hughton’s side, who are now eight points above the drop zone
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Its an absolute joy being a united fan again with ole
@Brian Dunne:
Second that. I hope he gets the job.
@Nollaig Elliot: surely only a matter of time now?
The more we see this team play this way, the more it makes me think Jose was playing to get sacked. it’s not the players fault he set them up to be boring. Ole has proven what they can do when given the chance
@Johnno Byrne: it’s like as if Jose was trying to undermine United from minute one I think. Horrible character- pure poison. The biggest villain in United’s history. Fabulous to have OGS at the helm.
For the last two years people have questioned the squad claiming they are not good enough, whereas under Ole they have shown their true potential, is it enough only time will tell, It’s also worth pointing out that Lukaku’s brace yesterday puts him into the top 20 PL all time goal scorers , not bad for a guy who’s still only 25 and supposed to have two left feet.
@David Weston: well they aren’t good enough. I think ole would admit that. Good enough for top 4 maybe but that’s not what united aspire for
@Anthony: in fairness neither were some of Fergie’s squads
@Anthony: In fairness it is really, if look back over last 7 year’s. Time’s have changed. Squad needs a huge overhaul, and Olé has given them the freedom to express themselves, he is not the man that can rebuild and bring them to the top. Him and Mike are a good short term option, but they need a big name in the Summer.
@David Weston: I have to disagree. Fergie had much better squads that this one. I think they have the bones of a really good squad. They need 3 quality full backs. Another centre back. A kante style defensive midfielder not to mention a winger if Rashford is going to play up front
@Virgil Van Rock: A big name to do what exactly? And where will this big name come from?
@Ben Jamen: Attract big players, ship big player’s out, manage big game’s home and abroad, the usual thing’s big name manager’s can do, like what Klopp has down with Liverpool, look at his first squad in his first game and compare it now, seriously Google it. And i would imagine you would get a big name from another big club, after all you are the biggest club in world football aren’t ya, ffs. I don’t know what upset you most, it’s a forum pal, to discuss football. Relax.
@Virgil Van Rock: The mighty Klopp… I’m not upset at all, don’t worry about me. Im just curious as to who this big name is that United will take from another club?
@Virgil Van Rock: Solskjaer could end up with more trophies in his time as interim manager as the mighty Klopp has done since he took over. Liverpool fans getting on like they have been winning titles year in year out with Klopp. He’s delivered a squad capable of being in a title race and so far that’s all he’s done
@Roberts Mel: Not disputing that, thing is he built it, he has them in a position to challenge. Liverpool fans extremely happy with that and i don’t hear anyone banging on about them winning title’s like you refer to. Progress, for thing has been made. Huge progress.
@Virgil Van Rock: pep wasn’t a ‘big‘ name before he took over Barca. A Barca team full of world class players(and ego’s). He did alright and attracted big names. Not saying Ole is anywhere near Pep or the Utd team is anywhere near Barca. Remember Ole worked with the youth squad before leaving Utd.
While he mightn’t lead them to CL glory think he’s what the club needs for a few seasons, possibly just to stop the rot.
@Virgil Van Rock:
I would think he’s definitely the right lad to rebuild the club. He knows the club better than any other manager they would consider and he’s great since taking over. Can’t see why he wouldn’t be a good fit. Time will tell but he’s surely a shoe in now?
@Nollaig Elliot: Lads it’s Man United and the heart is ruling the head a bit, he has lifted the gloom and player’s are happier, but he is not the answer. Ancellotti Conte etc have 1 thin Olé hasn’t got, experience and an impressive CV. Big difference managing the youth’s Molde and Cardiff. They were literally outclassed by a PSG half team, that’s the difference. Hero to the FAN’S understandably, doesn’t make you a shoe in. Understand the optimism, considering how tough life was under José just don’t believe he’ll get the job.
@Virgil Van Rock: you say Klopp built a good team at Liverpool then why can Solskjear do it at United? Klopp wasnt a big name before he got the Dortmund job and did fairly ok with them.
@Virgil Van Rock: Jose had experience and a good CV. Van Gaal has experience and a good CV. Moyes has premier league experience. All did crap at Utd. Not saying Ole is long term solution but need to steady the ship first. Look Kloop is 4 years with Pool and won nothing yet pool supporters are happy cause he has improved them. So why not Ole to improve Utd.
Yes like old times with Fergie should have conceded two penalties
Offside goal allowed like old times at biased Old Trafford
@Michael Fitzgibbon: haha that’s a really poor effort at trolling Michael. Try be more creative lol
He literally cannot do anymore…. what else is expected of him? He has actually dragged ManUtd from a dismal 6th position and 8 points away from 4th to a win away from 3rd… absolutely the right man for the job #OlesAtTheWheel
Yes like old times with Fergie should have conceded two penalties
Offside goal allowed like old times at biased Old Trafford
@Michael Fitzgibbon: and all the abu’s are pee’d off again. Truly like the old days!
@Brian Dunne: Always wanted people to like Man United years ago, so that they would appreciate their dominance. Then they became a laughing stock, so to see them being hated again will do me just fine…
Its good how fair he is on perfomances too when he talks about other teams
Fair play to ole he has done as good as can be expected.
We can hopefully achieve a top four spot which wud be a great success considering the circumstances.
In the summer then get rid of smalling jones Sanchez lingard herrera and a few more. Build again around the rest of them.
It will take time but with the right players being brought in then over the next few years we can look to achieve again.
@Tony Boyle: Jones just signed a new contract, Smalling playing well with Lindelof in center, Herrera driving things in midfield and Lingard a good fast local attacker who is playing some great stuff none of them are going anywhere.
@Sean Dalton: if you think lingard and smalling are up to it in the long run then we are in trouble
@Tony Boyle: a new center is needed no doubt but Smalling’s a good player to have in the squad, and Lingard has proven hes well up to it.
Utd should be winning those games handy