Match Report: Manchester United 4-1 West Ham
10-man Manchester United took a huge step towards retaining their Premier League trophy with a convincing victory in their final game for the season at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo's early double - which took him to 40 goals for the season - was quickly added to by Carlos Tevez's magnificent 30 yards strike, and Michael Carrick's deflected 25 yard effort after the break ensured that a spectacular overhead kick by Dean Ashton was just a consolation for the Hammers.
Any early tension was quickly appeased when Ronaldo produced an elaborate piece of skill to beat McCartney, and evaded a further challenge before rifling home a left foot drive that took a slight deflection before going in. If his first goal was down to individual brilliance, his second owed much to fortune as a pinpoint Hargreaves cross was missed by the away defence, and Ronaldo directed the ball in easily with his groin.
United were flying and just seconds later, Carlos Tevez fired a shot from just over 30 yards that Green had no chance with - it was truly unstoppable, and such was the brilliance of the Argentinian's shot, that the whole of Old Trafford - West Ham fans included - rose to applaud.
Dean Ashton, linked with United in the weekend press, stepped up to the plate to exploit some hesitant defending from Wes Brown and acrobatically throw a question mark down - and United's concern was compounded when Nani recklessly responded to provocation by serial offender Lucas Neill by thrusting his head in the Australian's face - Neill proceeded to haul himself to the floor and Nani did himself no favours by doing the same. Nani was sent off and Neill went unpunished - Sir Alex Ferguson will be the first to inform Nani that he made a mistake, and fortunately in this occasion his misdemeanour went unpunished as United started the second half with a purpose that belied their fewer numbers, and Michael Carrick ensured the points were secured with a 25 yard yard shot that was ironically diverted by Neill.
More could have followed as substitute Ryan Giggs showed plenty of invention in his outstanding cameo to create two clear cut chances - the first of which, Fletcher struck against a post.
After the match, Sir Alex sent the team on a lap of honour to thank the fans, pointedly for their support in the Barca tie, but in truth, they have responded superbly to his rally cry in January, and could yet be rewarded with massive proportions - in the next two games United stand to win the biggest two prizes in club football. With performances like this, it could well be in reach.
Ratings : van der Sar 7, Hargreaves 8, Ferdinand 8, Brown 6, Evra 7, Nani 5, Carrick 8, Scholes 7 (O'Shea 6), Park 6 (Giggs 7), *Ronaldo 8 (Fletcher 6), Tevez 8.
Source:(Yolkie)