English Premier League Review, May 13th

Wigan 2  Sheffield United 1

The defender slotted an injury-time penalty past Paddy Kenny after Phil Jagielka’s handball inside the area as the Latics leapfrogged United and sent Neil Warnock’s side back to the Coca-Cola Championship.  Paul Scharner had drilled home Kevin Kilbane’s left-wing cross after 14 minutes to put Paul Jewell’s side in front before Jon Stead bravely headed home a 38th-minute equaliser.  The Latics were forced to play the final 16 minutes with 10 men after Lee McCulloch’s sending-off as the Blades threw everything at them, but they held on after a nervous five minutes of injury time.

West Ham 1 Manchester United 0

Carlos Tevez completed West Ham United’s miraculous recovery after his strike earned a 1-0 win against champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.  The Argentina striker fired home from the right side of the box in first-half injury time to guarantee the Hammers’ top-flight status.

Tottenham 2 Manchester City 1

Tottenham Hotspur sealed a UEFA Cup spot after defeating Manchester City 2-1.  Robbie Keane volleyed Jermaine Jenas’ chipped pass home after 10 minutes before Dimitar Berbatov doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute.  Emile Mpenza pulled one back for Stuart Pearce’s side five minutes before half-time but they were unable to get a second.

Chelsea 1 Everton 1

Didier Drogba’s 57th-minute equaliser ensured Chelsea equalled Liverpool’s record of 63 top-flight games unbeaten at home with a 1-1 draw against Everton at Stamford Bridge.  The result was enough to earn the Toffees a place in next season’s UEFA Cup after James Vaughan had given them a 50th-minute lead.  Everton manager David Moyes was then sent to the stands after running onto the pitch and confronting referee Mark Halsey following a Paolo Ferreira challenge.

Bolton 2 Aston Villa 2

Luke Moore’s late strike was not enough to prevent Sammy Lee guiding Bolton Wanderers into the UEFA Cup with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.  Wanderers player-coach Gary Speed’s opener was cancelled out by Craig Gardner in the 37th minute before goals from Kevin Davies (58) and Moore (81) ensured a share of the spoils.

Blackburn 3 Reading 3

Brynjar Gunnarsson’s crisply driven strike was enough to salvage Reading a 3-3 draw away to Blackburn Rovers, who will now enter the Intertoto Cup.  Benni McCarthy’s 24th goal of the season put Rovers ahead. The South Africa striker had the simplest of finishes, tapping into the net from a yard out after Shabani Nonda had collided with Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann in the 21st minute, before Seol Ki-Hyeon equalised.  Goals from David Bentley (55) and Matt Derbyshire (67) were again cancelled out by Steve Coppell’s side in the second half, first by Kevin Doyle (58) and Gunnarsson (77).

Liverpool 2 Charlton 2

At Anfield, Harry Kewell’s 90th-minute penalty earned Liverpool a 2-2 draw with relegated Charlton Athletic.  The Reds twice came from behind against Alan Pardew’s men, who took the lead when Matt Holland bundled home Zheng Zhi’s second-minute cross.  Xabi Alonso pulled the Champions League finalists level before Darren Bent sidefooted home his 13th goal of the season after 72 minutes, but Kewell had the final say on matters.

Middlesbrough 3 Fulham 1

A Mark Viduka double ensured Middlesbrough ended the season on a high with a 3-1 victory over Fulham.  The Australia hitman, who is yet to sign a new contract with the club, was on target either side of half-time with Boro youngster David Wheater also finding the net in first-half injury time.  Simon Davies fired a consolation for Lawrie Sanchez’s side three minutes before the break.

Watford 1 Newcastle 1

An injury to Michael Owen ensured Newcastle United’s season ended on a sour note following their 1-1 draw with Watford.  The England striker was stretchered off in the 67th minute after a clash with team-mate Matty Pattison.  Marlon King’s goal pulled the Hornets level from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after Kieron Dyer had put the Magpies ahead in the 29th minute.

Portsmouth 0 Arsenal 0

Arsenal were unable to find a way past a stubborn Portsmouth side at Fratton Park, David James saving Julio Baptista's penalty before Pompey's Niko Kranjcar had a goal disallowed as the score finished 0-0.