Crystal Palace earned a 0-0 draw versus Man United in a tale of two halves at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner's side were lucky to still be in the match at the half-time interval, with the Red Devils squandering several clear cut chances, with keeper Dean Henderson in fine form.
After half-time the Eagles grew into the game and had their own chances to win the match, but failed to capitalise on their opportunities, with Andre Onana denying Ismaila Sarr with a superb double save, before Eberechi Eze fired wide with the goal gaping.
The result stretches Palace's unbeaten run to five, as they record their third straight draw in the Premier League, but what did the the Eagles learn from it?
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Dean Henderson is Palace's number one
Since arriving at Palace in August 2023, for an initial reported £15 million, Henderson has battled to make the number one jersey his own.
The former Man United keeper made 20 appearances for Palace last season, as he competed with fellow England international Sam Johnstone.
Over the past summer it was made clear that Henderson would be Palace's first choice goalkeeper going forward, with the 27-year-old giving the number one shirt, whilst Johnstone departed to Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported £10 million.
The decision received a mixed reaction, and odd individual errors from Henderson have failed to quash the debate, despite some superb individual performances.
Saturday evening saw Henderson deliver one of his best performances in a Palace shirt, making seven saves, the joint most he has ever made in a Premier League match, including a fine one-on-one save to deny Alejandro Garnacho,, as well as a reaction stop to deny a free header from Matthijs de Ligt at close range.
Based on the quality of shots Henderson faced, the keeper prevented 1.65 goals as he kept his former club at play, and it was his ability to deliver these level of performances which saw him entrusted as the Palace number one.
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The Eagles can not keep starting so slow
Whilst Henderson's heroics were certainly a huge positive for Glasner, the need for them is an area that the Austrian manager needs to address.
Palace suffered a poor first half against Chelsea, before tweaks at the interval changed the game for the South London club and allowed them to fight back in the match and earn a draw.
Glasner's side would suffer similar versus Leicester, where they trailed once again at half-time, before a resurgent second half saw the Eagles recover to share the points.
At Selhurst Park, Palace started lethargically once again, appearing the inferior side, and they had to ride their luck to ensure they completed the first 45 minutes on level terms.
Man United failed to punish the Eagles the way Chelsea and Leicester did, but eventually Palace will not be able to recover from these slow starts, and Glasner and his side need to ensure their approach is more positive moving forward.
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Ismaila Sarr impresses
The summer arrival was one of the key reasons why Palace fought back in the second half, with his introduction at half-time for Jean-Philippe Mateta providing the Eagles with a more effective outlet.
Sarr had been courted by Palace's sporting director Dougie Freedman for several years, and after joining from Olympique Marseille for a reported £13 million, the Senegalese international has been yet to start for his new side.
His performance against United will certainly put pressure on Glasner to change that against Everton this upcoming weekend.
Sarr was direct, and utilised his pace to threaten in behind. The Senegalese international also used his height and strength to hold the ball up effectively, allowing Palace to advance up the pitch more effectively.
The winger almost opened the scoring but for an incredible double save from Onana, and it looks as if the threat possessed by Sarr is one that needs to be utilised from the start of matches going forward.
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Could VAR have intervened
One of the big talking points of the match was the potential red card incident from Lisandro Martinez on Daichi Kamada.
The Argentinian defender attempted to challenge the Palace midfielder with a double footed stamping action, that appeared reckless, uncontrolled, and endangered his opponent, and yet a yellow card was deemed sufficient punishment due to Martinez failing to make clear contact with Kamada.
VAR agreed with the on-field decision, and decided not to intervene and it sets a dangerous precedent. Had contact been made, Kamada could well have suffered a horrific injury, and when the intent is as clear as it was from Martinez, then it questions why the need to physically hurt an opposition player is required before a red card is deemed appropriate.
