West Ham United – Tottenham Hotspur

1. Hi, welcome to ESPN Soccernet's final Premiership commentary of the season. My name is Alex, and we're at Old Trafford to see Manchester United attempt to earn the point they need to secure runners-up spot.

2. Giuseppe Rossi has been named in United's starting line-up to face Charlton. There was some drama earlier in the afternoon when Ruud van Nistelrooy's left the ground three hours before the game after learning he wasn't starting.

3. In another surprise move, Paul Scholes has been named on the bench even though he was believed to have been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after being diagnosed with an eye problem in December.

4. United kick off, to a trademark roar from the Old Trafford crowd.

5. 1'

   Both sides line up in a 4-4-2 formation; the home side have Giggs and Ronaldo supporting the strikers from the flanks.

6. 2'

   Neville goes on a good overlap on the outside of Ronaldo, but Sorondo comes over and makes an important tackle.

7. 3'

   United are the only team in the Premiership that Alan Curbishley hasn't beaten during his time in charge of Charlton; this is his last chance - it is his final game as manager of the Addicks.

8. 4'

   Of course, Manchester United only need a point to guarantee second spot behind Chelsea, and an automatic place in next season's Champions League.

9. 5'

   United win the first corner of the match when Powell heads Silvestre's cross from the left behind.

10. 5'

    Giggs' corner is a good one, but Hughes heads clear from inside his six-yard box.

11. 6'

    OOH! Richardson curls a cross in to the area, but Ronaldo completely misses his header at the far post and the ball bounces narrowly wide. Great chance.

12. 7'

    Sankofa's pass-back towards Andersen is a little short, but the goalkeeper is alert enough to come out and clear, under pressure from Rossi.

13. 8'

    There is a good tempo at the start of this match; we could be in for an attacking, open match here this afternoon.

14. 9'

    GOOD KEEPING! Ronaldo's low cross from the left is well gathered at the near post by Andersen; the keeper had to be brave, with Saha sniffing around.

15. 10'

    Charlton look to be prepared to get plenty of players forward to support their two strikers; they want to give their manager a good send-off.

16. 11'

    Euell strikes a shot goalwards from the edge of the area, but O'Shea stands firm and blocks his effort.

17. 12'

    Charlton are enjoying a good spell with the ball; they seem prepared to be patient and play good football. Well, they have nothing to lose, do they.

18. 13'

    Rossi shows a good touch on the ball in midfield, before collecting a pass and firing in a low shot which Andersen saves easily. Good start from the young Italian.

19. 14'

    Sorondo is adjudged to have fouled Saha as the two challenged for a header. United free-kick.

20. 15'

    GOOD EFFORT! Ronaldo strikes the free-kick with power; Andersen makes a comfortable save, but only pushes the ball to Rossi, who just can't direct his snap-shot on target.

21. 16'

    Paul Scholes receives a warm round of applause as he begins a light warm-up down the touchline.

22. 17'

    OFF THE BAR! Richardseon runs from inside his own half before slamming a 30-yard shot off the underside of the crossbar. Staggering effort from the youngster.

23. 18'

    INCHES! Giggs' cross from the left is just too high for Saha to head home from 10 yards out. Andersen gratefully collects.

24. 19'

    United are really starting to play with fluency and confidence now; this is a typical end-of-season game, with both sides playing some great football.

25. 20'

    LUCKY! Ronaldo cuts in from the right; his shot towards goal is horribly scuffed, but the ball deflects off the defender and goes for a corner.

26. 20'

    GOAL! Giggs' corner from the right is glanced home inside the six-yard box by Saha.

27. 21'

    United probably deserve to be in front after their start; that was Saha's seventh goal in his last eleven starts.

28. 22'

    More good defending from the visitors as Giggs' little chip in to the area is headed behind by Sorondo.

29. 23'

    GOAL! Ronaldo benefits from some shocking marking to turn home from close range after his inital effort had bounced back to him off a United player.

30. 24'

    This could be a long afternoon for Charlton; they have nothing really to play for, and it is showing; United are all over them.

31. 25'

    The home side win another corner; Giggs, and then Rossi fire good balls in to the penalty area, but Charlton scramble clear.

32. 26'

    WOEFUL! Radostin Kishishev, who hasn't scored for over three years, attempts a low shot from 30 yards, but it dribbles through to Van Der Sar.

33. 27'

    Charlton are still working hard, but United are playing with such confidence that they are having trouble stemming the tide.

34. 28'

    CLOSE! Saha slides a right-foot shot just wide of the post after more good work from the left wing by Richardson.

35. 29'

    WHAT A SAVE! Andersen makes a superb, flying save from Saha's shot after he had been picked out by Giggs' cross from the left.

36. 30'

    United could be four or five goals up, and we're only half-an-hour in to the game.

37. 31'

    The home side just have so many runners from deep, and the Charlton midfield aren't helping their defence by not tracking back.

38. 32'

    WIDE! Saha turns after picking the ball up, 35 yards from goal; he takes a touch before firing in a right-foot shot, but his effort bobbles wide of the right-hand post.

39. 33'

    OWN GOAL! Saha's cross from the right is stepped over by Rossi, and with Ronaldo waiting behind him, Euell can only slide the ball in to his own net.

40. 34'

    This has the potential to become something of an embarrassment for Charlton and Curbishley; United are flying.

41. 35'

    There are plenty goals about in the Premiership this afternoon, though Liverpool are still being held; United will claim second place as things stand.

42. 36'

    A great run from Ronaldo down the right causes more panic in the Charlton area.

43. 37'

    GREAT EFFORT! Rossi, who is having a really impressive game, brilliantly directs a header goalwards from Neville's cross. Andersen tips the effort over the crossbar for a corner.

44. 38'

    The attacks on the Charlton goal are almost relentless; and even when the home side do manage to break, Ferdinand and Brown are sweeping up with ease.

45. 39'

    It looks like Alan Curbishley's final game in charge of Charlton is destined to end in a thumping defeat.

46. 40'

    WELL WIDE! Rossi combines well with Richardson, but he then screws his right-foot shot well, well wide from 25 yards out.

47. 41'

    I can only remember about three free-kicks in the entire match so far; it has been played in a good spirit.

48. 42'

    BENT! The wannabee England striker pounces on some sloppy play from Silvestre, but his effort from a tight angle flies wide of the far post.

49. 43'

    Ferdinand's push on Bent results in a free-kick to Charlton; Radostin Kishishev chips it in to the crowded penalty area, but Van Der Sar comes out to punch clear.

50. 44'

    OVER! Bent heads just over the crossbar after getting up above Neville to reach a cross from the right wing.

51. 45'

    HALF-TIME: United have run riot here in the first half; Alan Curbishley has a lot of work to do to lift his troops in his final half-time team-talk as manager of Charlton.

52. 45'

    HALF-TIME SUB: Scholes replaces O'Shea; a nice sight for football fans as Scholes gets a surprise 45 minutes on his return to the first-team.

53. 45'

    CHARLTON SUBS: Bent and Sankofa off, Fortune and Sam on; Curbishley had to change something to stem the tide.

54. 46'

    Charlton kick off the second half.

55. 47'

    Scholes' first touch gets a loud cheer from the Old Trafford crowd.

56. 48'

    Andersen is forced to make a scrambling save as Saha sprinted in behind the Charlton defence. The keeper stays down for a moment and receives some treatment.

57. 49'

    Some nice touches from Scholes gets the crowd on their feet.

58. 50'

    Giggs' cross from the left is deflected, but Andersen makes a comfortable save under his crossbar.

59. 51'

    Charlton have changed to a 4-5-1 formation to give them the extra man in midfield, but at the moment it isn't really stemming the tide of United attacks.

60. 52'

    Ronaldo does a few step-overs as he attacks Powell from the right wing, but his final cross is woeful and drifts harmlessly out of play.

61. 52'

    A collision in midfield leaves Holland and Richardson in a heap. The Charlton man seems to have come off worse, but he is soon back on his feet.

62. 53'

    Giggs runs hard at Sorondo, but the defender does well to see the ball out for a corner.

63. 55'

    The tempo of the game has slowed since half-time; Charlton seem to have decided to shut-up shop and see if they can keep a clean sheet for the rest of the match.

64. 56'

    SAVE! A nice move puts Richardson through on goal; he fires a low shot goalwards, but Andersen gets down well to turn it wide of the post.

65. 57'

    Liverpool are winning their game at Fratton Park, but it won't make any difference in the race for second place as United are absolutely cruising here.

66. 58'

    GOAL! Richardson robs Radostin Kishishev in midfield, runs at the heart of the Charlton defence before smashing a low shot inside the far post. Great finish.

67. 59'

    Richardson is booked for taking his shirt off during his celebration.

68. 60'

    United are home and dry; it is just a question of how many they feel like scoring this afternoon.

69. 61'

    CHARLTON SUB: Ambrose replaces Euell; a final change for Charlton, who bring on the lively young midfielder.

70. 62'

    UNITED SUB: Solskjaer replaces Neville; Vidic replaces Saha. Solskjaer receives a huge round of a applause as he jogs on to the Old Trafford pitch.

71. 63'

    United are finding so much space as they flood forward; Charlton's change of formation hasn't really done anything to halt the flow of attacks.

72. 64'

    This isn't the ideal way for Curbishley to sign off as Charlton manager, but he shouldn't be too upset with his side; United have been awesome.

73. 65'

    Silvestre and Richardson combine well down the left, but the defender's cut-back towards Giggs is intercepted.

74. 65'

    United win a free-kick when Perry fouls Rossi on the edge of the area. Giggs and Ronaldo stand over the ball...

75. 65'

    ...Ronaldo curls a right-foot shot goalwards, but his effort dips a yard or so over the crossbar.

76. 66'

    We have a record Premiership attendance inside Old Trafford this afternoon; 73,006.

77. 67'

    JUST WIDE! Rossi's snap-shot from the edge of the penalty area bobbles a foot wide of the far post.

78. 68'

    Ambrose and Holland stand over a rare Charlton free-kick, 35 yards out. Ambrose fires in the set-piece, but the United defence cope easily.

79. 69'

    Just over twenty minutes to go, and United have finally taken their foot off the pedal.

80. 70'

    The game is drifting a little; Charlton are defending deep and allowing United plenty of the ball, but the home side's desire seems to be on the wane.

81. 71'

    Ronaldo almost makes it five when he sneaks in behind the Charlton defence, but Andersen makes a good save.

82. 72'

    Van Der Sar has only touched the ball twice in this second half, by my reckoning; United are camped in the Charlton half.

83. 73'

    Scholes is just sitting in midfield, popping the ball around, feeling his way back in to football; this is his first game of any description for a number of months.

84. 74'

    DREADFUL! Hughes fires in Charlton's first shot since the break, but his left-foot effort flies high and wide.

85. 75'

    WASTED CHANCE! Rossi plays in Silvestre down the left; he opts to cut the ball back to the penalty spot rather than fire across the face of goal, but there is no United player there to slot home.

86. 76'

    Scholes shows he hasn't lost his love of the tackle as he robs Powell inside the United half.

87. 77'

    The pace of the game is little above a practice game; the players are knocking the ball around with little pressure.

88. 78'

    Richardson needs some treatment to a knock on his leg, but he is soon back up on his feet.

89. 79'

    So, it seems likely that Alan Curbishley will complete 15 years in charge of Charlton without beating Manchester United. How he will have wished that he could have got something this afternoon.

90. 81'

    Ferdinand seems to have picked up an injury; the United players look very concerned as the physio comes on to treat the England defender.

91. 82'

    Scholes makes his first run forward, but his attempted flick towards Solskjaer doesn't come off.

92. 83'

    Hughes breaks in to the United penalty area, but Ferdinand comes across to clear up.

93. 84'

    Ferdinand seems to be moving freely enough now; there was some genuine concern when he first went down, but he looks fine now.

94. 85'

    Ferdinand is spotted eating biscuits on the field as play goes on around him; very, very odd.

95. 87'

    Both sides seem desperate for this non-game to finish.

96. 88'

    SHOT! Ambrose fires in a low shot, but Van Der Sar gets down quickly to save on his goal-line.

97. 90'

    FULL-TIME: United secure second-place with a breathtaking first-half show. Alan Curbishley's final match in charge ends in an absolute drubbing.

Sağlayıcının güncel lig tablosudur; maçın oynandığı tarihteki sıralama olmayabilir.