The feel good feeling surrounding the hiring of Ryan Giggs as interim Manchester United manager continues as the Class of 92 oversaw a 4-0 thrashing of Norwich City at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney and substitute Juan Mata scored two goals apiece as the United left the Canaries just a point above the relegation zone with two games remaining. Giggs, who decided against naming himself in the starting side or on the bench, saw Rooney give United the lead with a 41st-minute penalty after Danny Welbeck went down in the box.
Earlier, Everton suffered a huge blow in their quest for Champions League football after a pair of own-goals saw them beaten 2-0 away to Southampton.
After beating Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, Everton were in the driving seat for Champions League qualification but defeats to Crystal Palace and Southampton have turned the advantage back to Arsenal. A win but the Gunners at home to Newcastle United on Monday will see Arsene Wenger’s side move four points clear of the Toffees with three games left.
The big losers on the day had to be Fulham missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone after Hull City. Fulham looked to be heading towards safety when Ashkan Dejagah put them ahead in the 55th-minute shot and then they then doubled their lead through Fernando Amorebieta’s header three minutes later.
But Nikica Jelavic pulled a goal back for Hull in the 75th minute and the FA Cup finalists completed their comeback when Shane Long headed in Sone Aluko’s cross. The draw leaves Fulham a point from safety.
West Brom moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win at home to West Ham United. Saido Berahino scored the only goal at The Hawthorns when he turned in Morgan Amalfitano’s centre in the 11th minute.
Aston Villa were left just four points above the drop after a 4-1 loss away to Swansea City. Wilfried Bony opened the scoring for Swansea before Gabriel Agbonlahor briefly drew visitors Villa level in south Wales. However, midfielder Jonjo Shelvey restored Swansea’s lead in the 26th minute with a stunning volley from inside the centre circle that dipped over the head of back-pedalling Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Tottenham Hotspur moved to within three points of fifth-placed Everton with a 1-0 win at Stoke City, courtesy of Danny Rose’s 33rd-minute header. Stoke were reduced to ten men in the second half when Ryan Shawcross was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Rose.
