United treat Carrick to memorable farewell
Lanzini fires West Ham past Everton
LONDON, May 13, (RTRS): Manchester United treated their stalwart Michael Carrick to a memorable farewell on Sunday after a first-half goal by Marcus Rashford gave them a 1-0 home win over Watford on the final day of the season.
Carrick, who is unlikely to be picked for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday and will assume a coaching role at United next season, was treated to a guard of honour by both teams before kick off.
The 36-yearold midfielder also received a standing ovation from the fans when he was substituted in the 85th minute by Paul Pogba, drawing the curtain on a trophy-laden career at United since he joined them from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006.
Once described by former United captain Nemanja Vidic as “the glue that holds it all together,” Carrick said he was looking forward to a new role in the dugout next to the club’s manager Jose Mourinho.
“It’s not a sad goodbye by any means, I’ve got a lot to look forward to,” said Carrick.
“I’m looking to create more memories on the other side of the fence with Jose and his staff and bring success back to this club.
“The reception was incredible. I’ve had ups and downs at the club over the years. It’s the greatest club in the world so it’s been beyond my wildest dreams as a young kid.”
Carrick has won five Premier League titles with United, the 2008 Champions League and the 2017 Europa League.
United’s second-place finish in the Premier League is their best since they won their 20th title under Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Although both teams seemed to go through the motions on a sunny day at Old Trafford, a moment of magic from Carrick settled the contest when he rolled back the years to delight the home crowd.
He found Juan Mata with a delightful pass and the Spaniard squared it back for Rashford to tap the ball in from close range in the 34th minute.
United’s stand-in goalkeeper Sergio Romero pulled off a fine double save on the stroke of halftime, keeping out a close-range header by Richarlison and then smothered a Gerard Deulofeu shot with the game fizzing out after the break.
Carrick added it was an emotional farewell as he captained United one last time, having walked on to the pitch with his children.
“It’s an emotional day,” he said. “This morning it hit me a little bit. I was fine once I got here but in the hotel before I left, it was mixed emotions.
West Ham United 3, Everton 1
Manuel Lanzini scored goals either side of the break to help West Ham United to a 3-1 win over Everton in their final Premier League game of the season.
Argentine playmaker Lanzini, who had a penalty saved at Goodison Park earlier this season, picked up a misplaced pass from Cheikhou Kouyate and found the net from outside the box six minutes before halftime at London Stadium.
Everton boss Sam Allardyce responded with the introduction of midfielder Davy Klaassen at the break, but it was West Ham who doubled their lead with a fierce shot from Marko Arnautovic.
The visitors pulled one back through striker Oumar Niasse before Lanzini applied the finishing touches to a West Ham victory five minutes from time with a curling finish.
West Ham secured a 13th-placed finish as David Moyes celebrated his first league victory as manager over his former club Everton in six attempts.
Burnley 1, Bournemouth 2
Callum Wilson delivered a stoppage time winner as Bournemouth edged Burnley 2-1.
The 26-year-old striker snatched an opportunity from close range after being played in by fellow substitute Jermain Defoe to ensure a strong finish to the season for Eddie Howe’s side.
Burnley, who were guaranteed a seventh-placed finish before the kick off, broke the deadlock in the first half after Ashley Westwood’s shot inexplicably struck Chris Wood on its way into the net in the 39th minute.
But the Cherries, who stay 12th in the league table, responded after the break with a curling finish from Joshua King before Wilson completed the comeback.
Crystal Palace 2, West Brom 0
Crystal Palace ended their season on a high with a 2-0 home victory over already-relegated West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, which left the visitors bottom of the Premier League.
Wilfried Zaha met Patrick van Aanholt’s cross on the volley from close range to break the deadlock in the 70th minute after a bursting run through the middle from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.