The day which most soccer fanatics dread the most has finally arrived ~ the last match day of the English Premiership Season 2006/07. Lets see how this particularly exciting season wrapped up.
Will Carlos Tevez save West Ham again?
Now or never..
It’s always nerve wrecking for fans supporting clubs who are still fighting for their lives at the top flight, till the very last minute of the match. Sheffield United, with 38 points had the best chance of surviving.
West ham with the same number of points but with an inferior goal difference, needed a win at the daunting Old Trafford, to make sure of their top flight status. Wigan Athletic was the dark horse, having to win at all costs to stay in the premier league.
The drama unfolds…
Man United VS West Ham United omitted Ronaldo, Scholes and Giggs from the starting lineup, increasing the suspicion that Ferguson was not prepare to see any of his stars getting injured in this mostly irrelevant match for the champion.
However, even then, United were the team creating the most chances, peppering the West ham’s goal with shots. Yossi Benayoun made two successive clearances, first from Alan Smith and then from Kieran Richardson’s fierce strike.
Robert Green’s save from John O’Shea’s goalbound header, made West ham’s supporters begin to be more optimistic of their chances.
Indeed, when their controversial yet gifted, star striker Carlos Tevez scrambled home a shot deep into first half Injury time, the west ham contingent erupted and anxiety turned into ecstasy immediately.
Over at Bramall Lane…
Sheffield United VS Wigan Athletic
Sheffield United with home advantage and only needing a draw, were the favorites to stay up against a Wigan Athletic needing at least a win to ensure their own safety in the top flight.
The drama started when Wigan took a deserved lead in the 14th minute through Paul Scharner’s well taken left foot strike, meeting Kevin Kilbane’s cross from the left with crisp precision.
However, Neil Warnock’s side, highly known for their spirited displays this season, equalized through John Stead’s brave header which left Wigan’s goalkeeper, Stead and Taylor all injured. The latter had to be substituted by David Unsworth, a former United player.
This moment provided the catalyst for what was to unfold later. Late into injury time (+6mins), Unsworth stepped up to convert a penalty, after Jagielka had clumsily handed a cross from the left by his former teammate.
When the referee blew the half time whistle, the united supporters had a sinking feeling, compounded with the news that West Ham were also leading 1-0 at Old Trafford.
Back to Old Trafford…
After seeing his weakened side unable to break down West ham’s stubborn defence, Ferguson to Curbishley’s horror, unleashed Giggs, Scholes and Ronaldo all at once, in a bid to end the season with a bang.
Ronaldo had a great chance to equalize with a giant leap and powerful header, but it was directed straight at Green and he managed to hold on to the ball gratefully at the second time.
John O’Shea had a serious penalty claim turned down, after being brought down by Luis Boa Morte and the West Ham contingent grew more optimistic by the minute. In fact, they could have breathe more easily had Boa Morte and Tevez took the chances that went their way.
Still, West ham continued to repel all attacks on their goal with endless determination and coupled with United’s own unusually lack of edge around the penalty boss, the score remained 1-0 till the end.
At the final whistle, the joy on the faces’ of all the people concerned with West Ham showed how much the result meant to them.
Final Score: Manchester United 0: 1 West Ham
Time is running out at the lane...
Straight from the restart, Warnock brought on Danny Webber for the injured Nade. It nearly ended in immediate dividends 10 minutes later when Webber poked the ball past Pollitt, only to see it come back, agonizingly for United fans, off the post.
United were given more hope when McCulloch was sent off in the 73 minute for a second bookable offence. This provided encourage for both players and supporters, as they looked for the goal which now looked more likely to get.
Soon afterwards, Tonge chose to stay on his feet and miss the chance to get a penalty. And even with 5 mins of injury time to play with, United failed to create any more clear cut chances and the club with the highest chance to stay up, will have to play championship football next season instead.
Final Score: Sheffield United 1:2 Wigan Athletic
European spots
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspurs grabbed a UEFA cup stop with goals from Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov ensuring a narrow 2-1 win. Bolton and Everton will play in the same competition next season with a 2-2 draw at home and 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge respectively.
The latter result meant Chelsea equaled Liverpool’s 63 match unbeaten home record. Blackburn grabbed a place in the Intertoto Cup in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Reading.
And of course, Its time to salute the worthy champions of the 2006/07 premier league champions: MANCHESTER UNITED!!!
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