On This Day in 2016 – West Ham beat Manchester United in Upton Park farewell

By Sports Desk May 10, 2023

West Ham came from behind to beat Manchester United in the final game to be played at Upton Park on this day in 2016.

Headers from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid secured a 3-2 victory for the Hammers as they bade farewell to their home of 112 years ahead of their move to the London Stadium.

Diafra Sakho had given the hosts the lead until Anthony Martial put United ahead with a second-half brace.

The occasion was marred before kick-off when bottles were thrown at the Manchester United coach as it made its way into the ground.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed a police officer and a member of the public were hurt, with the Football Association launching an investigation.

Kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes but West Ham were quickly out of the blocks and, although the Red Devils rallied after the break, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic ultimately saw his team win and severely dent United’s hopes of Champions League qualification.

“It’s a great night,” Bilic said. “It’s our history and it’s not just a game. It’s against them, (United) it’s fighting for Europe and everything, a late night game – it couldn’t be better.

“All the boxes you need to have a special kind of a game, it was tonight. All the boxes were there, Man United, late night, thriller, five goals, so brilliant.”

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal refused to blame the pre-match attack on the club coach as a reason for his side’s defeat.

“First of all you cannot prove that (it had an effect),” he said.

“It will have an influence but I don’t think we have to look for excuses because we chased the match in the second half and 20 minutes before full-time we are ahead so I don’t think you have to look for that excuse.”

Related items

  • Chiellini backing Spalletti to deliver 'magical' Italy moments ahead of Euro 2024 Chiellini backing Spalletti to deliver 'magical' Italy moments ahead of Euro 2024

    Giorgio Chiellini believes head coach Luciano Spalletti can deliver "magical Italian nights", ahead of the Azzurri's title defence at Euro 2024.

    Spalletti's Italy will head to Germany as the reigning champions, after beating England on penalties at Wembley in the delayed Euro 2020 final three years ago.

    Chiellini captained the Azzurri to their second European crown - adding to their 1968 triumph - with Roberto Mancini's side also defeating the likes of Belgium and Spain on the way to glory.

    Three years on, the former defender believes the four-time World Cup winners will be "outsiders" at the tournament, where they will play Spain, Croatia and Albania in Group B.

    However, he thinks that may play into Italy's hands should they progress into the latter stages.

    "I'm very happy with Spalletti and for Spalletti," Chiellini told Corriere dello Sport. "I have the utmost respect for him, and I'm convinced that if there is someone who can make us relive the magical Italian nights, it's him.

    "The favourites are others. The pressure is on France, England, Portugal, Germany, Spain, not on us.

    "This group only has to gain from this European Championship. Italy are outsiders. Facing us in knockout matches is never easy."

    A nine-time Scudetto winner with Juventus, Chiellini also had his say on former Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte, who is heavily linked with a return to management at Napoli - 15 months after his last spell in the dugout at Tottenham.

    "I can see him doing well," the 39-year-old said. "I believe he rested and needed it after some personal issues that affected him. I haven't seen him recently, but I felt he was ready. Napoli is a club that gives you a lot, that energises you a lot."

    Inter retained the Scudetto in 2023-24 - finishing a whopping 19 points clear of second-place Milan - and Chiellini believes the Nerazzurri will be the team to beat once more next term.

    Asked if he was surprised by the dominance of Simone Inzaghi's side, he replied: "No way. I already said it last July, then also in December.

    "They told me I was being superstitious, that I didn’t want to mention Juventus, but for me, the difference was obvious, and so it was. The only doubt is the new ownership, but from what I read, it seems to me that everything is under control.

    "If they maintain the structure, with controlled management and targeted investments, Inter are too far ahead of the others. If all the players remain, as it seems, Inzaghi’s team will start as favourites next year, too."

  • Lionesses goalkeeper Earps set to miss Euro 2025 qualifier against France with hip injury Lionesses goalkeeper Earps set to miss Euro 2025 qualifier against France with hip injury

    England Women's goalkeeper Mary Earps will miss the decisive clash with France Women on Tuesday after withdrawing from Sarina Wiegman's squad with a hip injury.

    Earps left St. James' Park with crutches after sustaining an injury just eight minutes into Friday's 2-1 defeat against France.

    That marred what should have been a memorable occasion for Manchester United goalkeeper Earps, who made her 50th appearance for the Lionesses.

    England confirmed Earps will be unavailable for Tuesday's Euro 2025 qualifier away to France, with Birmingham City's Lucy Thomas joining Wiegman's 23-player squad for the trip to Saint-Etienne.

    "Not the way the big 50 was meant to go, but grateful and hugely proud to have reached 50 caps for England," Earps posted to Instagram on Sunday. 

    "Thank you for your lovely messages, gutted that I've picked up a minor hip injury which will sideline me for a couple of weeks.

    "Not something I'm used to but nothing a little bit of rest and relaxation won't fix – right behind the girls for Tuesday!"

    England are third in Group A3 as Wiegman's side chase qualification for next year's European Championship in Switzerland.

    The Lionesses have four points and are behind second-placed Sweden on goal difference, with France five clear at the top of the group after three games.

    Wiegman's team then host Ireland on July 12 and play Sweden away four days later in their final group game.

  • Everton to 'assess all options' as 777 Partners takeover falls through Everton to 'assess all options' as 777 Partners takeover falls through

    Everton will "assess all options" regarding the club's ownership after a proposed takeover by 777 Partners fell through on Saturday.

    Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri agreed to sell his 94 per cent stake in the club to the US-based consortium last September, but the Premier League refused to sign off on the takeover.

    The deal was repeatedly delayed as 777 failed to meet the Premier League's required conditions of ownership, though the consortium provided financial support to the club for several months. 

    Everton lost eight points to two deductions in 2023-24 for breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, but still finished 14 points clear of the relegation zone.

    Moshiri is now looking for alternative buyers to come forward, with Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor having expressed an interest in investing last month.

    The club said in a statement: "The agreement between 777 Partners and Blue Heaven Holdings Limited for the sale and purchase of the majority shareholding in the club expired today. 

    "The board of directors recognises the considerable level of financial support 777 Partners has provided the club over recent months and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for this.

    "The club will continue to operate as usual while it works with Blue Heaven Holdings to assess all options for the club's future ownership.

    "The board of directors would like to thank everyone connected to Everton for their patience over recent months and reiterate its commitment to providing further updates when it is appropriate to do so through the club's official communication channels."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.