It was so obvious that Martial couldn't help having a wry smile as he ran away. I think the ref booked Phillips just because the fouls were starting to become too frequent from both sides.

Ebiowei looks exciting and United struggling to get the ball off him when he gets it. Rak-Sakyi is not a central midfielder but has done ok when going forward. I feel sorry for Matthews who looks way out of his depth.

Overall we've done ok given this is United's first team and we have a team filled with U23s. The goal would be written off if there was VAR in play.

Ref lets Mctomany foul on Ayew go and then as Croydon Trucker has commented books Philips for his first contact with a player.
silly sod!
Still exactly what you expect when playing the w***ers even on the other side of the world!

Im gonna say it , Luka Palace player man of the match for the first half .

Ebiowei definitely the bright spot for us. Would be great to see him playing with a midfield that can get it to him in and around the box. Rak-Sakyi also had a couple of nice touches.

Defence just about hanging in there. Luka and Phillips are a fairly desperate central midfield combination, and not going to achieve anything more than sitting very deep and chasing shadows. They provide no option to pass it from the back through midfield, so we're just hitting it long to Mateta who is up by himself on the halfway line, surrounded by three defenders.

Looking forward to seeing a few new faces second half: hopefully the young fella at left back.

No changes at half-time for Palace. Van de Beek on for McTominay.

Hopefully they've given Matthews some goalkeeping juice at half-time.

My pre season excitement is wearing thin

Red and Blue Army!