London (AFP)

Manchester United and Leicester continue their snail scramble for second place in the Premier League, with both sides drawing at Crystal Palace (0-0) and Burnley (1-1) on Wednesday in early matches in the 29th day.

- United lack of sharpness

The Red Devils recorded their third 0-0 in a row against Londoners who did not show a great desire to upset them.

With 51 points, the Mancuniens keep their 2nd place and their point ahead of Leicester, as well as a 6-point gap with West Ham who will only play their match of the 29th day against Arsenal on March 21.

On the other hand, Chelsea and Liverpool, who face each other on Thursday, could reduce their delay by 7 and 8 points in case of success.

We were quite bored in Selhurst Park under a typical London "fog" which fell as the match progressed.

An atmosphere as hazy as the attacking intentions of a United who seemed to wait the entire match for an individual coup or a penalty to unblock the situation.

Nemenja Matic (13th) and Marcus Rashford (16th) had yet planted two interesting first banderillas during the promising first 20 minutes.

But we can't say that Eagles goalkeeper Vincente Guaita was much worried.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can always congratulate himself on the defensive solidity which is confirmed for his team, with only 2 goals conceded in the last 7 meetings.

The stoppage of Dean Henderson, holder in the cages, in front of Patrick van Aanholt, in the very last seconds of regulation time, will not have returned empty-handed.

During the derby on Sunday at the leader, City, and even if the title race seems folded with a difference of 14 points, it will however be necessary to show something quite different.

- Leicester jostled

Quickly led and jostled in the second half by the tough, although poorly classified, Burnley, Leicester reported a meritorious point (1-1) from his trip.

Deprived of major players both in defense (Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana, James Justin) and in attack (James Maddison, Harvey Barnes), the Foxes were taken by the throat by Burnley at kickoff.

From the 4th minute, Matej Vydra took advantage of a too soft back pass from Hamza Choudhury to beat Kasper Schmeichel (1-0).

Leicester, 2nd best Premier League away team, reacted well by taking matters into their own hands and, on a nice volley from Kelechi Iheanacho, managed to equalize before the break (1-1, 34th).

In a very lively match, the Clarets missed the boat with a superb parade from Schmeichel on a header from Chris Woods (49th) and the post saved the Danish goalkeeper on a recovery from Ashley Westwood shortly after the hour mark.

But these are two points lost for the men of Brendan Rodgers, Youri Tielemans having also found the post six minutes from the end of regulation time.

In the other game of the early evening, the red lantern, Sheffield United obtained their third success of the season by beating Aston Villa (1-0).

The Birmingham club, 9th with 39 points, misses a great opportunity to get closer to the European wagon with its two late matches.

© 2021 AFP