Image details: Wigan Athletic v Manchester United - Premier League served by picapp.com

Second half report from the final match day of 2007/2008 EPL season.There were no changes to the United side during halftime despite Scholes’s yellow card and his risky play.United found themselves in a more attacking mood in the second half, with 3 shots taken within the first 10 minutes. By the 65th minute that tally rose to 5. At full time it had risen to 7 (4 on goal and 1 goal). Wigan did not get their first decent chance at goal until the 69th minute.Referee Steve Bennett’s calls caused massive frustration and sparked Rooney’s temper; a penalty not given against Wigan for bringing down Scholes immediately created controversy. Rooney was awarded a yellow card for his attitude in the 57th minute. Steve Bennett famously dismissed Javier Mascherano for a temper tantrum, so Rooney’s inability to keep his thoughts to himself could have been cause for concern. With Scholes on one yellow and risking tackles in his usual fashion, and Rooney on one yellow and apparently unwilling to calm himself down, the chances of a red seemed to be mounting against United. In the 67th minute this pressure was alleviated as Scholes was taken off and Owen Hargreaves brought on.In the 61st minute everything grew uncertain in United’s world as Chelsea scored against Bolton, courtesy of Andriy Shevchenko. Fans and players surely knew if Wigan evened the scoreline Chelsea could take the title. Undeterred, United continued to press Wigan as second wore on.In the 68th minute Ryan Giggs equaled Bobby Charlton’s record for United appearances as he came on for Ji-Sung Park. In the 69th minute Antoine Sibierski replaced Marcus Bent, who played strongly for Wigan today.In the 79th minute Ryan Giggs ended all uncertainty. His goal from a Rooney cross crowned Manchester United the 2007/2008 EPL Champions. It was an amazing way to mark his historic 758th appearance. Bobby Charlton looked on as the man who met his record brought his team to victory.Following the goal Marlon King replaced Michael Brown for Wigan, and Wigan didn’t give up the fight. In the 85th minute their second shot (off target) of the half came via Jason Koumas. Desperate attempts to take something away from this match saw two more shots in the 88th and 89th minute, and 3 more in the 90th. Wigan finished with 7 shots in the half, 4 on goal.Full time stats show Manchester United’s domination with 67% of possession to Wigan’s 33%.Despite a rocky start United went on to fully earn this 2007/2008 EPL title, and even the Wigan supporters gave the squad a standing ovation as they made their way off the pitch to prepare for the trophy presentation.An emotional end to an incredible season: Ryan Giggs hoisted the EPL trophy and Sir Alex sang along to “We Are the Champions”. There is pure joy in the JJB tonight.The results around the league:Birmingham vs. Blackburn 4-1Birmingham put in a very strong showing but it’s too little, too late. Had they played this way during the season the overall outcome would have been far more positive. Birmingham have been relegated.Chelsea vs. Bolton 1-1Unfortunately for the West London side not only did they not win the title, but they couldn’t hold onto a clean sheet to end their season. Kevin Davies gave Bolton its consolation prize in the 90th minute. Bolton are safe from relegation.Derby vs. Reading 0-4Hapless Derby couldn’t end their dismal season with even a single goal for fans to celebrate. Reading, however, routed them with 4 goals—to little end. Reading’s play this season has landed them in the relegation zone as well, and in fact Reading rounds out the trio of relegated teams. Birmingham, Reading, and Derby have gone down.Portsmouth vs. Fulham 0-1This was undoubtedly one of the most exciting surprises of the day. Fulham seemed destined for relegation but very recent form kept them in the league by the skin of their teeth. The hero today was Danny Murphy, ensuring his team remains in the EPL to fight another year.Sunderland vs. Arsenal 0-1A match of little consequence and little coverage! Sunderland will be happy to be safe and Arsenal will be disappointed to end their season, which was so strong for so long, in third.Tottenham vs. Liverpool 0-2Liverpool bested the North London club to keep them in 11th place. Liverpool’s spot in 4th was never in doubt or danger.West Ham vs. Aston Villa 2-2Thanks to a late goal by Dean Ashton West Ham managed one point from this match, to ensure their place in the top 10 regardless of what occurred at Tottenham vs. Liverpool. West Ham stay up in 10th, and Aston Villa ends the Intertoto Cup club in 6th.Wigan vs. Manchester United 0-2The trophy celebrations for Champions Manchester United are still under way!Middlesbrough vs. Manchester City 8-1An embarrassing end to the season for City, who started the year so strongly. With the sending off of their captain and stalwart defender Richard Dunne, City seemed to lose all composure. They allowed 8 goals, a bitter pill to swallow, and managed only one as small consolation. Manchester City finish in 9th while Middlesbrough lodge themselves firmly in the middle of the bottom half of the table. Surely this result seals Sven Goran Eriksson’s unfortunate fate.Everton vs. Newcastle 3-1It’s not an end-of-season result Kevin Keegan will remember fondly, but Newcastle finish in 12th. Considering they were flirting with relegation earlier in the season, it can be no cause for complaint. Everton’s 5th place spot, and UEFA Cup inclusion, were not doubted and have now been secured.What a season and what a finish for all.Champions: Manchester UnitedChampions League: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, LiverpoolUEFA Cup: EvertonIntertoto Cup: Aston VillaRelegated: Birmingham, Derby, Reading

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