Mason Greenwood becomes youngest Manchester United starter as West Ham and Newcastle end season with wins

The 17-year-old brought a rare gleam of light to United's dire performance

Sunday 12 May 2019 17:58 BST
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Mason Greenwood makes his first start for Manchester United
Mason Greenwood makes his first start for Manchester United (AFP/Getty)

Greenwood becomes league's youngest starter

Mason Greenwood became the youngest player to start a Premier League game for Manchester United in the club's 2-0 defeat to Cardiff, but showed few signs of being overawed by the occasion.

The youngster perhaps should have done better with a free header inside the first five minutes, but his attempted glancing touch from Diogo Dalot's cross ballooned over the crossbar.

Manchester United's disappointing season came to a fitting conclusion as relegated Cardiff went out with a bang, giving their former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plenty to think about.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's brace was the difference as Cardiff beat United for the first time since 1960 - quite the way for Neil Warnock to bow out in what he expects to be his last top-flight match as a manager.

Palace defeat Bournemouth in eight-goal thriller

Michy Batshuayi gave Crystal Palace further cause to make his signing permanent after he scored twice to inspire a 5-3 home victory over Bournemouth.

The striker has impressed since his arrival on loan from Chelsea, netting six in 13 appearances for a team that had previously struggled for goals.

Batshuayi will now return to Stamford Bridge unless Palace can find what is likely to be a club-record transfer fee to retain him.

Mark Noble scores his second
Mark Noble scores his second (Getty)

West Ham ease past ten-man Watford

West Ham secured their first top-flight Premier League finish in three years as they beat 10-man Watford 4-1 at Vicarage Road on the final day of the season.

Hammers skipper Mark Noble started and ended the scoring with a fine individual effort and a late penalty, with Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic also in on the act.

Gerard Deulofeu had pulled one back for the hosts 11 seconds into the second-half, only for Jose Holebas to be sent off soon after on a forgettable final day of the league season for Watford.

The result means the Hornets head into the FA Cup final against Premier League champions Manchester City having won just once in the league since their semi-final success on April 7 - and that was away at rock bottom Huddersfield.

Salomon Rondon celebrates at Craven Cottage
Salomon Rondon celebrates at Craven Cottage (PA)

Fulham flounder on final day as Newcastle rally for Rafa

Newcastle finished their season with a flurry of goals as Scott Parker's first game as permanent Fulham manager ended in a 4-0 rout at Craven Cottage.

Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Perez struck successive goals in two minutes early in the first half to give Rafael Benitez's men a lead they never looked like surrendering.

And Fabian Schar and Salomon Rondon were on target after the interval to seal a comprehensive win, but the score failed to reflect Fulham's lengthy spells of dominance that lacked any meaningful reward.

Jan Siewert ensures Huddersfield setting a record for number of defeats
Jan Siewert ensures Huddersfield setting a record for number of defeats (Getty)

Terriers bare their teeth to grind out draw against Southampton

Relegated Huddersfield avoided equalling the record for most defeats in a Premier League season by coming from behind to draw 1-1 at Southampton.

Nathan Redmond's thunderous first-half strike left the rock bottom Terriers in danger of suffering a 29th top-flight loss to cap a miserable campaign.

But a mistake from Saints goalkeeper Angus Gunn allowed Alex Pritchard to equalise 10 minutes into the second period and earn Town their first point on the road in four months.

PA

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