Hammers complete miracle recovery
Sunday, 13 May 2007 20:12
United's players celebrate their title win, despite losing 1-0 to West Ham at home
West Ham have secured their Premiership future after a 1-0 win over champions
Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Controversial striker Carlos Tevez's goal at the start of the second half completes a miraculous recovery from Alan Curbishley's side.
The Hammers' seventh win from their last nine games sees them stay up along with Wigan, who condemned
Sheffield United to the drop after a 2-1 win over the Blades.
United, who were presented the Premiership trophy after the game, left Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ryan Giggs on the bench ahead of next week's FA Cup final against
Chelsea.
The home side dominated the first half with Wayne Rooney wasting a great chance from close range on 16 minutes.
Rooney fashioned another chance minutes later after trading passes with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before scuffing a shot side from 12 yards.
United continued to bombard the Hammers' goal with blocks with Yossi Benayoun twice coming to their aid.
The Israeli midfielder hacked Alan Smith's header off the line following a corner and then blocked Kieran Richardson's follow-up.
Curbishley's side improved in the second-half and took the lead on 49 minutes when Tevez exchanged passes with Nigel Quashie before whacking the ball past Edwin van Der Sar from the edge of the box.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought on the big guns mid-way through the second period with Giggs, Scholes, and Ronaldo coming on.
But it was West Ham who created the best chance with Luis Boa Morte out-muscling Wes Brown with his side-footed effort trickling inches wide.
The Hammers clung on in the dying minutes to clinch victory and complete a sensational recovery having gone 11 league games without a win at one stage to leave them at the foot of the table.
But their celebrations could be spoilt by possible legal action by Sheffield United over the Hammers failing to be docked points for breaking Premier League rules in the transfer of Tevez.