Seventh-placed Manchester United were hoping to give their bid to qualify for European football a much-needed boost when they hosted the Premier League’s bottom side, Sheffield United, on Wednesday.
Under-pressure Erik ten Hag’s players had an unexpectedly draining day on Sunday, spurning a 3-0 lead in the 70th minute to draw 3-3 with second-tier Coventry before prevailing on penalties.
Newcastle, who are also targeting Europe and started the evening above United on goal difference, visited a Crystal Palace side on a run of two consecutive wins following their 5-2 victory at home to West Ham on Sunday.
Two midtable sides with ambitions of finishing the campaign on a high met at Molineux, where Wolves hosted Bournemouth.
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Man United v Sheffield United: Blushes spared
Sheffield United arrived at Old Trafford with three league wins all season and had clearly set out to defend from the start.
The Blades held hope of a dream result in a dismal season, though, when Andre Onana’s dreadful attempted pass to Diogo Dalot was intercepted by Jayden Bogle, who swept in the first-half opener.
Harry Maguire headed an equaliser from Alejandro Garnacho’s cross three minutes before the break but Ben Brereton Diaz fired in from Ben Osborn’s pass five minutes into the second half.
The first goal was the 75th United have conceded in all competitions – the most they have shipped in a single campaign since 1977-78 (80).
Magnifico 🪄#MUFC || #MUNSHU pic.twitter.com/3fieZP1RJX
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 24, 2024
Their saviour was Bruno Fernandes, who equalised with a penalty and struck from 30 yards. Rasmus Hojlund ended his eight-game run without a goal five minutes from time as United won 4-2.
Sheffield United were frequently indebted to goalkeeper Wes Foderingham but the underdogs’ genuine threat of an unlikely upset will do little for Ten Hag’s prospects of being in charge next season.
Crystal Palace v Newcastle: Eagles flying
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw at home to Burnley in new manager Oliver Glasner’s first game in charge, starting an excellent run of form which continued against Newcastle at Selhurst Park.
The Frenchman scored his seventh in nine matches to give the Eagles the lead, combining with Jordan Ayew and slotting in 10 minutes after the break, and crashed in a second with two minutes remaining in a 2-0 win.
Palace are now mathematically safe from relegation and six points off the top half of the table.
Newcastle fell three points behind Manchester United but seventh place is still in the Magpies’ hands.
Wolves v Bournemouth: Semenyo settler
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola won the Premier League manager of the month award for March but his players had been in less convincing form in April.
Antoine Semenyo’s 37th-minute opener at Wolves was a welcome development following their 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday, although their opponents had a Hwang Hee-Chan header ruled out after a VAR check during the second half.
Milos Kerkez was shown a straight red card for the Cherries for a late challenge but Wolves could not reply in a 1-0 defeat.
Gary O’Neil’s side had goalkeeper Jose Sa to thank for several excellent saves and are now winless in seven matches in all competitions, losing three of their last four.
