Winning end for Fergie, Spurs stay in UCL race
Sunday's Premier League Results
Stoke 1-2 Tottenham
Everton 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 1-3 Liverpool
Norwich 4-0 West Brom
QPR 1-2 Newcastle
Sunderland 1-1 Southampton
Man United 1-2 Swansea
Saturday's Premier League Result
Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea
Striker Kevin Mirallas ensured Moyes departed Goodison Park in perfect circumstances with a 2-0 win over West Ham.
The victory also guaranteed Everton finished above Liverpool for the second successive season.
In the relegation fight, Norwich confirmed their top-flight survival with an emphatic 4-0 victory over West Brom at Carrow Road.
Robert Snodgrass gave the Canaries a half-time lead before a Ben Foster howler gifted Grant Holt the second and former Ipswich defender Gareth McAuley's own goal prompted Delia Smith to dance with delight.
The Baggies were woeful and Jonny Howson scored a spectacular late fourth as Chris Hughton's men claimed a third win in 20 Premier League games to make certain of their top-flight status ahead of next week's final-day trip to Manchester City.
In contrast, Sunderland will be anxiously watching Wigan's match at Arsenal on Tuesday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton.
Jason Puncheon came off the bench to grab a point for Southampton and all but secure their safety, just as it looked as though Sunderland had saved themselves in their clash at the Stadium of Light.
The midfielder struck with 14 minutes remaining after fellow substitute James Ward-Prowse provided the ammunition to cancel out Phil Bardsley's opener, and in the process left the home side still looking over their shoulders.
The result leaves Sunderland on 39 points with one game to play - against Champions League-hunting Tottenham - while Wigan, who are four points adrift of the Black Cats, also have a home match against Aston Villa on the final day of the season.
Newcastle ensured their Premier League survival with a game to spare as they beat already-relegated QPR 2-1 at Loftus Road on Sunday.
Hatem Ben Arfa's penalty and a Yoan Gouffran strike helped the Magpies come from behind to secure a victory that ensured another season in the top flight after Loic Remy's early spot-kick had put Harry Redknapp's side ahead.
Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot's late sending off did not affect the result, with the Magpies holding out for a vital three points.
Tottenham moved back above north London rivals Arsenal and into a Champions League qualifying position as they saw off 10-man Stoke with a 2-1 win at the Britannia Stadium.
Emmanuel Adebayor slid home a late winner to lift Tottenham back into fourth place after they fell behind to a Steven Nzonzi header after just three minutes, before Clint Dempsey equalised with a brilliant piece of improvisation.
Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam was dismissed in the 47th minute for a second bookable offence and Spurs were made to labour before their late winner.
Elsewhere, Daniel Sturridge fired Liverpool to an easy 3-1 win at Fulham with a superb hat-trick at Craven Cottage.
Sturridge had not scored against the Cottagers during his time at the club's local rivals Chelsea or while he was at Manchester City, but he took Martin Jol's team apart on Sunday with three well-taken strikes.
Three minutes after Dimitar Berbatov had nodded Fulham ahead, the England striker turned Aaron Hughes inside-out before smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
On Saturday, Frank Lampard became Chelsea's leading goal-scorer with a brace as the Blues all but secured a Champions League spot for next season with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa who had goal-scorer Christian Benteke sent off for two bookable offences.
Alex Ferguson gets guard of honor, unlikely winner and Premier League trophy in final home match
(Getty)
Sir Alex Ferguson's final home match at Old Trafford played out in the most Alex Ferguson way possible. Starting with a unified guard of honor from the players and staff of both Man United and Swansea, a smiling Ferguson took his seat on the bench while the home fans all waved their plastic "Champions 2013" flags and Wayne Rooney watched in exile from the executive suite prison cell. Instead of immediately chomping a wad of gum to death, he seemed a bit more relaxed. But being two matches away from retirement and just 90 minutes away from lifting the Premier League trophy for the 13th time will do that.
Chicharito scored the match's first goal in the 39th minute to give Ferguson a familiar 1-0 lead. Swansea's Michu did his best to try and taint the day by equalizing shortly after halftime. In the end, that old Ferguson magic won out as Rio Ferdinand scored in the 87th minute — his first goal in five years — to give Man United a 2-1 victory.
After the final whistle, Ferguson took the microphone and gaveFerguson paid tribute to Paul Scholes, who also announced he will be retiring for the second time at the end of the season. He also called for the fans to stand by incoming manager David Moyes just as the club did for him.
Here's his speech in full (via The Mirror):
"I have absolutely no script in my mind. I'm just going to ramble on and hope I get to the core of what this football club has meant to me.
"Thank you to Manchester United, not just the directors, coaching staff, medical staff, the players, the fans, all of you - you have been the most fantastic experience of my life, so thank you.
"I've been very fortunate. I have been able to manage some of the greatest players in the country, let alone Manchester United.
"All the players here today have represented this club the proper way. They won the championship in a fantastic fashion, so well done to the players.
"My retirement doesn't mean the end of my time at the club. I'll now be able to enjoy watching them, rather than suffer with them.
"But, if you think about it, the last-minute goals, the comebacks, even the defeats, are all part of this great football club of ours. It's been an unbelievable experience for all of us, so thank you for that.
"I'd also like to remind you that when I had bad times here the club stood by me. All my staff stood by me, the players stood by me, you stood by me, and your job now is to stand by our new manager. That is important.
"Before I start blubbing, I just want to pay tribute to Paul Scholes, who retires today. He has been unbelievable, one of the greatest players this club has had and will ever have. I wish him a happy retirement. I would also like to say a little word wishing Darren Fletcher a speedy return to our club.
"To the players, I wish them every success in the future. You know how good you are, you know the jersey you are wearing, you know what it means to everyone here and don't ever let yourselves down.
"The expectation is always there, so I'm going inside now for a while, but before I go I'd like to say thank you from the whole Ferguson family - and all 11 grandchildren! Thank you."
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