Arsenal face a real top-four fight with Manchester United and Crystal Palace were right to recall Julian Speroni: Five things we learnt

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Giuseppe Muro20 April 2016

Manchester United boosted their hopes of a Premier League top-four finish with a convincing 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

Louis van Gaal's United side started brightly, though the hosts had Palace to thank for their opener as Damien Delaney put through his own net after just four minutes.

Matteo Darmian crossed a low ball into the Palace area from the left wing after four minutes, and Delaney inexplicably stretched out a foot to divert the ball past Julian Speroni under no pressure.

The Eagles held on until the interval as they struggled to get forward under heavy pressure from United, and the pressure eventually told after the break.

Darmian - impressive after a rough few months of poor form and injuries - struck a wonderful volley high past Speroni 10 minutes after the break, and Pardew's side had no response as United saw out the win.

Standard Sport takes a look at the key talking points at Old Trafford...

Top four race continues

Arsenal have a real fight on their hands to finish in the top four.

Manchester United are now just one point behind the Gunners and breathing down their neck.

Arsenal do have a game in hand but they are in serious danger of missing out on Champions League football next season if they do not finish the season strongly.

Super Speroni

Julian Speroni is still a top goalkeeper. Like there was ever any doubt.

The 36-year-old made his first appearance of the season and showed why Crystal Palace fans love him.

2016 Manchester United FC

Speroni made a brilliant stop to deny Anthony Martial in the first half and then produced a wonderful double save in the second half.

Wayne Hennessey will start Sunday's FA Cup semi-final but Speroni could hardly have done better on his return to the side.

Souare is a lucky man

Pape Souare is lucky not to be suspended for the FA Cup semi-final.

The Palace left-back went flying into a challenge with Juan Mata in the first half and was fortunate not to receive a red card.

Souare did will the ball first but the tackle was out of control and caught Mata on the follow through.

Being without Souare at Wembley would have been a big blow for Alan Pardew - but he got away with one.

Pardew faces a tough call at Wembley

James McArthur has put himself in contention to play against Watford.

The midfielder came off the bench after 70 minutes to make his return after 10 weeks out with ankle ligament damage and looked to come through unscathed.

Whether McArthur will be ready to start at Wembley remains to be seen but Pardew will be delighted to have him back.

Captain fantastic

Wayne Rooney should be in the Manchester United side for their FA Cup semi-final against Everton on Saturday.

Louis van Gaal said Rooney's place in the team would depend on his performance against Palace and the England captain had a good night.

He played 80 minutes in the centre of midfield before being take off as United coasted to three points.

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