We’re underway…

Apologies for the delay, which was caused by technical difficulties.

You haven’t missed much anyway. It’s still 0-0.

Here is the belated team news:

United: Amos, Rafael Da Silva, Smalling, Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Valencia, Gibson, Park, Diouf, Berbatov, Macheda. Subs: Lindegaard, Michael Keane, Pogba, Morrison, Fryers, Cole, Lingard.

Palace: Price, Clyne, McCarthy, Gardner, Moxey, Dikgacoi, O’Keefe, Wright, Zaha, Scannell, Easter. Subs: Speroni, Parr, Ambrose, Iversen, Jedinak, Murray, Ramage.

Palace have started this game well and have already had a decent shout for a penalty waved away by referee Chris Foy.

Darron Gibson attempts one of his trademark long shots. The ball ricochets off the defender and goes out for a corner, which then comes to nothing.

Great tackle by Gibson to bring a halt to a dangerous-looking Palace attack. He looks very much like a man with a point to prove.

Elsewhere tonight, a Spurs side that includes Lennon, Modric and Defoe has gone a goal down against PAOK. They could be heading for a Europa League exit if they lose.

United continue to have most of the play in the opening stages, but have yet to carve out any clear-cut chances. Meanwhile, Fabio has just been booked for a clumsy challenge on Zaha.

Gibson has seen a lot of the ball in the opening stages, and has used it relatively well for the most part.

Gibson isn’t the only player out there tonight with Irish blood in him. 18-year-old Michael Keane was born in England, but is eligible to play for Ireland through his parents. Meanwhile, Palace’s Sean Scannell – who has just dragged a shot wide – also has Irish connections.

United are lacking a bit of ingenuity in the final third of the pitch. Good build-up play continues to go unrewarded, as the stubborn Norwich rearguard persistently breaks down their attacks.

That was almost comical! Berbatov swings to hit the ball but Macheda unwittingly takes it off his toes – the incident epitomises the pair’s failure to gel so far.

Scannell is now going to have to go off injured unfortunately.

He is replaced by Norwegian international Jonathan Parr on the brink of half time.

Spurs are now 2-0 down against PAOK – the end of their Europa League hopes perhaps?

HALF TIME: MAN UNITED 0-0 CRYSTAL PALACE

So United will go into half time disappointed by their lack of invention in attack. Palace, on the other hand, can be more than happy with their first 45 minutes. The visitors are so well-organised at the back that you wouldn’t put it past them to nick it in the second half.

I would suggest United are struggling at the moment, but then again, I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of Sir Alex:

Gary Neville has said United look “under-cooked” and has added that Smalling is the only player in the side that has performed well. Meanwhile, the boys in the Sky studio have picked out the supremely skillful Wilfred Zaha as the player of the first half. Neville even suggests parts of his game are reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Interestingly, Berbatov has been replaced by Morrison. Could that be the death knell on his United career?

The second half is underway…

Luka Modric has scored a penalty for Spurs and PAOK have also had a man sent off. Sounds like it’s very much game on in London.

So close! Anthony Gardner gets caught in possession to let Valencia through on goal and his shot is inches wide of the post.

On Twitter, Colin Udoh reckons Luka Modric is “exactly the type of player” United need in midfield. Anyone agree?

United have had 71% possession, apparently. The way this game’s going, surely Palace will run out of gas eventually.

Valencia plays an intelligent ball through to Morrison, whose shot is straight at the Palace keeper.

The highly promising Paul Pogba is now coming on for the injured Rafael. It’ll be interesting to see how “the new Patrick Vieira” gets on.

GOAL FOR PALACE!

And it’s an absolute screamer. Darren Ambrose scores from roughly 40 yards out, finding the top corner with an incredible effort. Right after the goal, Pogba nearly equals his feat, with a stunning attempt that goes just over.

GOAL FOR UNITED!

Macheda scores a penalty, as United respond within three minutes of going behind. He sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, after he is correctly adjudged to have been pulled back by the Palace defender inside the box.

It was the Irish defender Paddy McCarthy who gave away that penalty, unfortunately.

Here’s another look at that stunning Ambrose effort:

YouTube credit: CarismahHD

Palace have broken a couple of times and looked dangerous, but have failed to fully capitalise on these opportunities. I still wouldn’t put it past them winning it.

Ambrose threatens to score a second screamer, but his shot deflects off Smalling and goes out for a throw.

There’s roughly five minutes left. Could we be heading for extra time?

Alan McInally has described Smalling’s performance tonight as “first class”. You can’t say that about many of the players in the United team.

Murray attempts another spectacular effort, but his shot only finds the side netting.

FULL TIME: MAN UNITED 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE Extra time beckons…

We’re back underway in the first half of extra time now…

Gibson almost scores one of his trademark wonder strikes, but his shot is deflected narrowly wide for a corner.

GOAL FOR PALACE!

Ex-Spurs man Tony Gardner heads home from an excellent delivery from a Palace free kick. Can they hang on this time?

Gibson has another volley from a corner just narrowly wide and soon after, Macheda finds himself through on goal, but also shoots just wide. Shortly thereafter, Ambrose’s free kick from 40 yards out is well-saved by the keeper. That lad has a seriously impressive shooting technique. Phew…

HALF TIME: MAN UNITED 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE

The second half is underway…

Elsewhere, Spurs have lost 2-1 to PAOK in the Europa League.

Seven minutes left for Palace to hold on. They’re looking pretty solid at the moment. Famous last words, I know.

Zaha has been excellent tonight. He has continually posed United problems and he does so again, as he sprints past a tired-looking Darron Gibson.

Tantalisingly close! Gardner has just cleared a United header off the line.

One minute to go…

FULL TIME: MAN UNITED 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE

Incredible result. Alex Ferguson looks like he wants to smack someone.

Bookmakers should stop taking odds on Ferguson pointing out in his post-match interview that the second Palace goal was offside (which it was, admittedly).

It’s difficult to argue that Palace didn’t deserve to go through on the basis of their brave performance. United, on the other hand, will be left to rue their patent lack of creativity in the attacking third of the pitch.

Stay tuned for just a bit longer, as we’re about to bring you the draw for the Carling Cup semi finals.

Here comes the draw…

Cardiff, Palace (obviously), Liverpool and City all feature.

City have drawn Liverpool!

That means Palace will play Cardiff and so, there is guaranteed to be a Championship side in the Carling Cup final.

Right, that’s it from me. I must reluctantly set off to face the stormy weather. Thanks for reading and commenting, and don’t forget we’ll be liveblogging plenty more sporting events in the coming days, including the Euro 2012 draw on Friday.