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14 May 2007, by Sean Gillen

West Ham stun United to complete great escape

Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United

West Ham United completed their incredible escape from relegation with a shock win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, on the day the newly crowned champions celebrated their title win.

Hammers’ Player of the Year Carlos Tevez’s goal shortly before half time was enough for the London side to ensure that they will stay in the English top flight, at the expense of Sheffield United.

With next week’s FA Cup final in mind, United boss Alex Ferguson left Rio Ferdinand out of the match squad, while Cristiano Ronaldo joined Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic on the substitutes bench. Luis Boa Morte was named in an unchanged West Ham line-up.

United dominated the first half, with the midfield pairing of Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick controlling the game. Scotsman Fletcher played Wayne Rooney in with a brilliant pass early on, but the young forward took too long to get an effort on goal.

The hosts went close through John O’Shea’s header, before West Ham somehow survived when Smith’s effort was cleared off the line by Benayoun, who then reacted quickest to block Richardson’s follow-up.

Tevez stuns crowd

As the clock edged towards half time, the visitors stunned the 76,000 home crowd by taking the lead. Tevez played a one-two with Bobby Zamora, before benefiting from a ricochet off Wes Brown to race through and tuck the ball through Edwin van Der Sar’s legs.

United never truly regained their dominance in the second half and, with the game drifting away, Ferguson introduced Scholes, Giggs and Ronaldo in a triple substitution. Ronaldo went close when he connected with a deep cross at the back post, but the Portuguese did not get enough on his finish to trouble Robert Green.

A rare West Ham attack then resulted in a good chance for Boa Morte. The former Fulham man connected with a cross at the back post, but his half volley was badly off-target.

Ronaldo then went close again when he towered above the West Ham defenders to head a corner straight at Green and, when the ‘keeper managed to gather the rebound, it began to look like West Ham’s day. The former Sporting man went close again when he shot straight at Green from a tight angle.

There was a late scare for the Hammers and Boa Morte when the Portuguese looked to have fouled John O’Shea in the penalty area, but the referee waved away United’s protests. Richardson then narrowly missed the top corner with a superb effort from twenty-five metres.

The final whistle sounded to confirm West Ham’s survival, following a remarkable run of seven wins from nine Premiership games.

Carlos Queiroz (Manchester United assistant manager):

“The result was not what we expect, we are disappointed. But the players switched off a little bit with concentration, playing the last game was a celebration game for them and the new players tried their best. We need to give credit to West Ham and they deserved something today.”

“But it’s been a fantastic season. We won the championship and we’re very happy with the lads.”

Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United forward):

“The team is happy, it is unbelievable. It is unbelievable for the supporters, for everyone, it is an amazing day for me and Manchester United. I feel good, now we have won the title this is the best result.”

“I am very happy, it is a great day for me, my family and for Manchester United. The supporters? This is the reason I enjoying playing here and want to stay at this club, not because they sing my music but because they are the best supporters in the world.”

“Everyone tries to improve. It’s a great season for me, winning the title, and I’ve won a few individual medals. I’m very happy and I want to keep going like that next year.”

Man Utd:
Van der Sar, O’Shea, Brown, Heinze, Evra (Giggs 57), Solskjaer, Carrick (Scholes 58), Fletcher, Richardson, Smith (Ronaldo 58), Rooney
Yellow Cards: None

West Ham:
Green, Neill, Collins, Ferdinand, McCartney (Spector 28), Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Noble, Boa Morte, Zamora (Harewood 63), Tevez (Mullins 82)
Yellow Cards: Collins (67), Tevez (74)

Goals:
[0-1] Tevez, 45