14th May, 2017
Goals from Victor Wanyama and Harry Kane earned Tottenham victory over Manchester United in their final game at White Hart Lane.
Spurs plan to have their new stadium, built on the same site, ready for the 2018-19 campaign and will temporarily play their home matches at Wembley next season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side had already secured second place in the table, but wanted to leave their current ground, where they have spent 118 years, on a high by staying unbeaten there this season.
Wanyama got Spurs off to the best possible start with a header five minutes in and Kane doubled their lead early in the second half, flicking home from a Christian Eriksen free-kick.
Captain Wayne Rooney gave Man United hope of a recovery when he poked in from Anthony Martial’s delivery, but they were unable to spoil the leaving party.
United knew before kick-off that their chances of finishing in the top four were over after Liverpool’s 4-0 win over West Ham earlier in the day.
They can still qualify for the Champions League if they win the Europa League, but Jose Mourinho will have to settle for fifth or sixth place in his first season at the club.
Farewell to the Lane
Tottenham’s title chances ended last week following their defeat by West Ham, and the trophy went to Chelsea on Friday.
With a Champions League place already guaranteed, Pochettino said their final home match was all about making it a special day for the fans.
The teams walked out to a display of flags around the ground, Spurs legends including Chris Waddle and Glenn Hoddle were invited as special guests, and local musical duo Chas and Dave provided half-time entertainment.
And the Tottenham players gave supporters a first-half performance to remember.
Ben Davies’ sublime cross was headed home by Wanyama to give Spurs the early advantage, and they could have extended their lead before the break had goalkeeper David de Gea not pulled off saves to deny Son Heung-min and Kane.
Five minutes into the second half, the hosts doubled their lead. Eriksen’s free-kick curled into the path of Kane and he out-smarted defender Chris Smalling to poke home his first goal against United.
Spurs’ performance dropped off after that, but they managed to hold on – despite Rooney’s goal giving them a scare.
Will United go out on a high?
Man United’s 25-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end against Arsenal last Sunday, and once again a much-changed starting XI put in an average performance in North London.
Martial looked lively in attack but could only curl his best effort wide of the post in the first half.
The Frenchman instigated his side’s goal by ghosting past Kieran Tripper before picking out Rooney, who tapped in from close range.
Substitute Marcus Rashford went close at the death, but it proved to be too little too late for the visitors.
United’s focus is firmly on winning the Europa League title, when they face Ajax on 24th May, but their domestic campaign could end with a whimper.
-BBC