EPL review: A fitting finale at the Boleyn Ground
– West Ham bid farewell to the Boleyn Ground with a memorable victory
– Norwich treated the fans to a final home match victory but was too little too late
– Inspired January window signing, Kone scored twice to uphold Sunderland’s Premier League status
NAIJ.com sports brings you the pivotal penultimate match of the 2015-16 from the Boleyn Ground – the last at this famous stadium, where the home team bid a farewell with a fantastic comeback to ‘hammer’ United, to the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland condemn Newcastle and Norwich to the Championship with the trashing of Everton.
Manchester United coach Louis Van Gaal
West Ham 1-2 Manchester United
A riveting match played at about 100 miles per hour concluded with a famous victory to enhance West Ham’s hopes of a Europa League qualification and bid a fitting farewell to the Boleyn Ground.
The match was marred by violent scenes outside the stadium before kick-off, which resulted in 45 minutes delay. United’s team bus was also pelted with stones and bottles on its way to the stadium, but the Hammers faithful and the players said goodbye in style with a stunning performance.
Winston Reid headed home late to seal a thoroughly entertaining match that looked to be going United’s way after Anthony Martial’s brace.
Diafra Sakho gave the hosts a superb start with his first goal in six EPL games after 10 minutes.
However, the returning Martial had other ideas with a brace in the second-half, but the Hammers refused to say goodbye to their famous home with a defeat as Antonio headed in a leveller just four minutes after Martial’s second.
Reid sealed a thrilling contest in West Ham’s favour, 10 minutes to the end with his header from Payet’s set-piece to ensure a memorable send-off and boost their Europa League aspirations.
Meanwhile, United’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after missing the chance to go a point clear of rivals Manchester City in the battle for a place in the top-four.
READ ALSO: Guus Hiddink hints at Chelsea stay
Sunderland manager, Sam Allardyce celebrates his team’s security
Sunderland 3-0 Everton
Sunderland condemned bitter rivals Newcastle and Norwich to the Championship with a stunning performance to thrash Everton at the Stadium of Light.
The hosts came into the match knowing three points would be enough to ensure survival and delivered accordingly, leaving them four points clear with one game remaining and the fans jubilant.
A woefully out-of-form Everton side was what the doctor ordered, coupled with the buoyancy of Saturday’s battling victory over Chelsea, Sunderland sealed the points with three goals in 17 minutes either side of half-time.
Ramiro Funes Mori’s foul on Jermaine Defoe 25 yards out gave Van Aanholt the opportunity to open the floodgate when he bent his free-kick around the wall to score.
Kone smashed home a volley from close range when M’Villa headed the ball back into the box to double the scoring before making the score-line unassailable with a tap in later on.
The full-time whistle was greeted rightly by ecstatic and jubilant fans.
Norwich applauded despite the relegation the championship
Norwich 4-2 Watford
Norwich made four changes to the side that suffered four consecutive defeats without scoring a goal and were rewarded with four goals which ultimately proved irrelevant as they got relegated because of Sunderland’s victory over Everton.
Troy Deeney opened the scoring in the 11th minute – his 10th of the season, to put the away side ahead, but the outstanding Nathan Redmond levelled the scoring four minutes later.
Norwich struck twice more in the first-half through Mbokani and an own goalby Craig Cathcart, but Watford hit back after the break when Deeney played Ighalo in for his 15th goal of the season.
The home side were not to be denied a home consolatory victory for the fans when Mbokani split Watford’s defence with ease to put Norwich further ahead.
However, Sunderland’s 3-0 victory over Everton confirmed the club’s relegation back to the Championship just 12 months after they were promoted.
Guus Hiddink stands on the touchline
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Liverpool grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser from Benteke’s close-range header to snatch a point against Chelsea after Hazard’s magnificent opener for the visitors.
The hosts picked a full strength side despite having one eye on next week’s Europa League final, but struggled to get inspired. The same can be said of the visitors whose disappointing season has petered out.
Hazard livened up a boring match with a dazzling skill in the first half to open the scoring by weaving through the heart of Liverpool’s defence before curling a beautiful finish past Mignolet.
Benteke rescued a point with a headed leveller late in the second-half when Bergovic flapped at a cross.
Liverpool remain eighth in the table and 10 points clear of ninth-placed Chelsea.
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