West Brom and Champions Manchester United played out the highest scoring game in Premier League history after a 5-5 draw at the Hawthorns.
The occasion also marked Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1,500th and final game in charge of United. Both sets of players gave the legend a Guard of Honor and the man himself waved to each side of the Hawthorns with fans both of the hosts and visitors showing their appreciation.
The opening 30 minutes of the game were destructive from the Champions, Kagawa nodded home Hernandez’s cross after just 6 minutes and 3 minutes later United made it 2. West Brom’s towering defender Olsson plumping into his own net after a teasing cross from Valencia.
The home fans were visibly stunned and it got even worse for them on the 30 minute mark. Cleverley linked well with the impressive Hernandez who in turn spread the ball across the face of goal where youngster Buttner calmly finished. Sir Alex didn’t even bother celebrate the third goal, it was almost as if he knew what was coming.
Just before the break, the Baggies were back in it. James Morrison beating Phil Jones to a cross from the far side to slot home. That gave the home faithful something to cheer about in a game which did feel very ‘end of season’ at half time.
However one decision from Steve Clarke changed everything. Roman Lukaku. He made an instant impact after the interval, holding off Phil Jones before sliding an effort from 20 yards under Lindegaard. At 3-2, the Hawthorns looked a more intimidating atmosphere to play in, until Robin Van Persie came on the scene of course. Just 3 minutes after Lukaku’s impact Van Persie got his 30th of the campaign, collecting a cross from Valencia and hammering a shot high into the middle of the goal.
United kicked into gear at that point, Hernandez made it 5-2 on 63 minutes, steering home a Ryan Giggs cross. But the final 10 minutes were incredible. Lukaku on 81 minutes collecting a through ball, showing pace and strength and once again beating Lindegaard. Then just 25 seconds later Joseph Mulumbu steered in James Morrison’s cross. 5-4….
The unlikely and unforgettable comeback was completed in the 86th minute, a free kick was lashed over into the box, Mulumbu knocked it down and Lukaku bundled the ball over the line to utter deleria inside the Hawthorns.
Full time and 5-5 was how it finished to the evident relief of the whole United bench, Sir Alex made his way to the travelling fans waved and disappeared down the tunnel for the final time in his legendary management career. The game was one of the greatest Premier League matches of all time and sent a message that next season is going to be very interesting indeed.