Lingard seals Cup glory for Utd

Jesse Lingard struck an extra-time winner as 10-man Manchester United won the FA Cup for the first time in 12 years with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley.

In a repeat of the 1990 final, Jason Puncheon’s strike put Palace to within 12 minutes of a maiden FA Cup triumph but Juan Mata levelled three minutes later to force extra-time.

Chris Smalling’s dismissal for two bookable offences at the end of the first period of extra-time swung the game in Palace’s favour, but, with penalties looming, Lingard’s rasping drive won the trophy for United in stunning fashion.

It’s a result that eases some of the pressure on under-fire United boss Louis van Gaal, who brings the first trophy to Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

Alan Pardew made six alterations to the second-string XI fielded in Palace’s final-day defeat against Southampton, while United welcomed back Marouane Fellaini following a three-game suspension and Marcos Rojo after he missed Tuesday’s rearranged fixture with Bournemouth.

Yannick Bolasie raced into the United half with the ball immediately from the opening kick-off but Palace’s attempts to take the game to their opponents failed to materialise, with United going on to control the majority of the first half.

Marcus Rashford, fresh from his inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s preliminary England squad for Euro 2016, saw a 10th-minute effort blocked by …

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