Manchester United 4-1 West Ham

May 4 2008 James Cairns Reports

PETULANT Portuguese kid Nani almost scuppered his side's title charge after his headbutt horror left Manchester United a man down against West Ham for more than half the match. Sir Alex Ferguson's men had raced into a three-goal lead within 26 minutes thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo double and a wonderstrike from Carlos Tevez.

But after Ashton pulled one back for the Hammers, Nani put his side under needless pressure after getting sent off for lashing out at Lucas Neill in 37 minutes.

Despite being down to 10 men, West Ham still couldn't hurt United and Michael Carrick made the game safe for the home side when he bagged the fourth.

Even if Chelsea win at Newcastle tomorrow United now know that a victory in the final game at Wigan this week will guarantee that the club can claim their 10th Premiership title under Sir Alex.

A thrilled Fergie said: "It has been a great day for us and we now have a big chance.

"We have not won anything yet but hope we can win the league next week.

"Our players have been fantastic. We were down to 10 men and I said to try to run the clock down, keep possession and be patient.

"There was a bit of nervousness in our play at times but we managed to kill the game off to continue what has been a fantastic season."

But the United boss was less than happy with hotheaded midfielder Nani. Ferguson said: "There is no excuse. He showed immaturity and we will deal with it."

United got off to a whirlwind start and grabbed the opener in three minutes when Ronaldo fired in a shot that flicked off George McCartney on its way past keeper Robert Green.

The home side side could scent blood and romped two ahead 20 minutes later.

Owen Hargreaves swung a cross to the far post and Ronaldo drilled home with the Hammers defence posted missing.

United then hit a quick third when former West Ham hero Tevez stole the limelight.

He scored at Old Trafford this time last year to keep the Hammers up but this time he hurt his old club.

The Argentinian picked up a lay-off from Ronaldo and rifled a stunning 30-yarder into the roof of the net.

The away fans must have been dreading a drubbing at this point but two incidents before the break brought them right back into it. Ashton gave them hope when his smart over head kick pulled a goal back in 28 minutes.

And United were reduced to 10 men when Nani foolishly lashed out at Neill before collapsing in a heap clutching his head in a shameful bid to avoid the red card.

West Ham failed to make the extra man count after the break though and United killed the game off in 58 minutes with a fourth.

Carrick was given far too much time to line up a long-range effort with Neill deflecting the shot past his keeper.

Sub Darren Fletcher almost put the icing on the cake but the Scotland midfielder's shot hit the post.

United thanked their supporters for a season of effort with a lap of the pitch at the end. Soon they could be celebrating for real.