SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2017 SPORTS Pogba returns to score emotionally heavy goal shot into the far corner. The youngster’s delight was obvious, and understandable, and the early goal lifted the atmosphere at Man United 2 an Old Trafford with an unusually large number of empty seats and obviously in end-of-season mode. They had more to cheer just four min- Crystal Palace 0 utes later as Jesse Lingard raced half the length of the field and squared into a crowded area where Joel Ward should have MANCHESTER: Paul Pogba proved his fit- been able to clear the danger. But the ness, and scored a goal which he dedicated Palace defender succeeded only in stop- to his late father, as the youngest ping the ball, presenting Pogba with the Manchester United line-up in Premier simplest of finishes from a dozen yards. League history ended the season with a 2-0 Rooney had already threatened before the win over Crystal Palace yesterday. Josh goal flurry and, with United having failed to Harrop, one of four full league debutants in score more than two goals in a home Jose Mourinho’s side, opened the scoring league game since Boxing Day’s win although the manager was clearly more against Sunderland, United supporters interested in safeguarding players ahead of clearly felt that run was about to end. Wednesday’s Europa League Final against Palace had other ideas and Christian Ajax in Stockholm. Benteke should have done better than The 31-year-old Wayne Rooney was the glance a header wide from a Wilfried Zaha only player older than 25 in a line-up that corner soon after. But that was rare relief averaged 22 years and 284 days. And he for the visitors as United continued to press was brought off in the 88th minute-receiv- and Axel Tuanzebe picked out Harrop for ing a massive ovation on what could be his another shooting opportunity which the last appearance for the club-to be replaced youngster placed just wide. A good half for by 16-year-old Angel Gomes who became Mourinho ended in worrying fashion, how- United’s youngest player for 61 years. ever, when Eric Bailly-who is suspended for Pogba, who had not played for 10 days fol- the Europa League final-made a full-blood- lowing the death of his father Fassou ed challenge on Zaha as he threatened the Antoine, was given a half of action by the United goal and immediately fell to the United manager and responded not only ground clutching his knee. with his goal but by setting up the opener. The Ivory Coast defender was able to LONDON: The Chelsea team including captain John Terry, 26, celebrate after they won the league, following the English Premier League soccer continue but, with Wednesday in mind, match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge stadium. — AP SIMPLE FINISH Mourinho brought off Pogba and Lingard After just 14 minutes, 21-year-old mid- in the final minutes of the half, a move he fielder Harrop, who had already enjoyed a had promised to make to allow the pair to couple of exciting forays down the left enjoy a standing ovation from supporters flank, raced onto a superb through ball and rest for the final. Palace might have got Terry bows out of in style from Pogba. Harrop still had work to do, as back in the game as Zaha’s cross was met he entered the Palace area, but beat by a towering header from Christian defender Martin Kelly easily and cut into a Benteke which struck the foot of Joel as Chelsea celebrate title central position before placing a powerful Pereira’s post. —AFP LONDON: John Terry was given an emotional legend” who has been at the heart of kick was deflected straight to Manquillo, who farewell by fans at Stamford Bridge yesterday as Chelsea’s success for the best part of two fired home to give the visitors a surprise lead record-breaking Chelsea beat Sunderland 5-1, decades, was played from the start by Conte after only three minutes. including two goals from substitute Michy in his last ever appearance at the ground he Chelsea didn’t take long to respond. Marcos Batushuayi, on the day they were presented with has graced since 1998. Alonso had already hit the crossbar with a free- the Premier League trophy. The champions had kick when Willian drilled in a low shot which to come from behind on the last day of the ‘THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING’ Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford fumbled league campaign after Javier Manquillo put rele- However, in a pre-planned tribute, he was into his own net with only eight minutes on the gated Sunderland ahead, but they did so in style substituted and replaced by Gary Cahill in the clock. It took a long time for the inevitable sec- with Willian, Eden Hazard and Pedro also on the 26th minute (reflecting his squad number) with ond goal to arrive, but when Diego Costa put scoresheet. team-mates forming a guard of honour as he left Hazard clean through on goal in the 61st minute This was Chelsea’s 30th league victory of the pitch. Fans in the Shed End also unfurled a he finished superbly to set the party going. 2016/17 — the most ever achieved by a club in banner which said simply “Thank you for every- Pedro headed home number three following the English top flight in a 38-game season. thing JT” and included images of the 15 major a mistake by Sunderland defender Joleon That is a remarkable statistic when you consid- trophies Terry has won in a Chelsea shirt in a Lescott with 13 minutes to go and the icing on er this same team finished 10th in the table the career that has spanned 717 games. For much a memorable season was in place when previous campaign in a season where manager of that time, and certainly since billionaire owner Batshuayi, the man whose goal won the title at Jose Mourinho was sacked and the west Roman Abramovich arrived, Terry has been the West Brom, flashed home number four in the London club missed out on European qualifica- on-field figurehead for Chelsea Football Club, 90th minute and added another fine finish tion. But Chelsea have been transformed under overcoming a series of off-field scandals to right on the final whistle. Chelsea was present- new manager Antonio Conte, ending in top cement his place in the heart of every Blues fan. ed with the Premier League trophy after full- place with 93 points, seven clear of runners-up However, at the age of 35, his opportunities time, the sixth league title in the club’s history Tottenham Hotspur. to play have been limited this season-he has and their fifth of the Premier League era. Next No wonder there were constant chants of made only six Premier League starts — and he season, however, they will have to cope with- “Antonio, Antonio” echoing around Stamford has opted to extend his career elsewhere. There out Terry, the man who lifted the trophy along- Bridge; but this was also a huge day for Terry. was an early shock in store in the captain’s side defensive partner Cahill. It’s a new era all The veteran centre-back, the “captain, leader, farewell party, however, when Seb Larsson’s free- round at Stamford Bridge. —AFP LONDON: An Arsenal fan holds up a protest banner after the English Premier League Liverpool secure soccer match between Arsenal and Everton at The Emirates Stadium. — AP Watford 0 Arsenal’s 20 year Champions Champs League Man City 5 league run comes to an end they have struggled at home recently, picking up just two points from their previous three LONDON: Arsenal failed to qualify for Seeking to halt Valencia as he sped Liverpool 3 home games. the Champions League for the first time down the Everton right, the Frenchman Anfield, then, was understandably nervy Rampant City about whether or not they could get the job in 20 years to renew scrutiny of Arsene launched himself into a full-bodied lunge done - but at least they were playing a visit- Wenger despite a 3-1 victory over that sent his opponent flying and yielded seal third place Middlesbrough 0 ing team that have been woeful this season. Everton yesterday. Liverpool’s victory an immediate red card from referee Middlesbrough, relegated a fortnight ago over Middlesbrough condemned Arsenal Michael Oliver. Everton manager Ronald WATFORD: Manchester City cruised into next season’s after a defeat to Chelsea, opted to start with and manager Wenger to a fifth-place fin- Koeman looked to exploit the situation Champions League as they took third place in the Premier LIVERPOOL: Brilliant goals from Georginio the muscular Rudy Gestede up front, a player ish, making this the first season since by sending on Ross Barkley for Tom League thanks to a 5-0 rout of woeful Watford yesterday. Wijnaldum, Philippe Coutinho and Adam who has caused Liverpool’s defence problems 1996-97 to conclude with the club hav- Davies, but it was Arsenal who struck Needing a point to be certain of qualifying for the Lallana secured Liverpool a spot in next sea- in the past. Caretaker manager Steve Agnew ing not secured a place in Europe’s elite next in the 27th minute. Champions League, Vincent Kompany put Pep Guardiola’s son’s Champions League play-off round after a left their two top scorers, Alvaro Negredo and competition.