Manchester United secured Europa League football for next season despite falling to defeat at Crystal Palace.
Wilfried Zaha’s goal earned the Eagles a solid end to Patrick Vieira’s first season in charge, but West Ham failed to capitalise as they lost 3-1 at Brighton.
The Hammers entered the day knowing a win would have to be coupled with the Red Devils dropping points to secure sixth place.
Palace began to pull out their part of the bargain in the first-half with Zaha’s strike opening the scoring on 37 minutes, against a United team with Edinson Cavani replacing Cristiano Ronaldo up front and youngster Hannibal Mejbri handed a starting berth.
Michail Antonio put West Ham on top only moments later, down on the south coast. A fierce effort from the edge of the box beat Robert Sanchez and moved the striker onto ten league goals for the third season in a row, an achievement not seen at the club since Tony Cottee’s feats in 1988.
However, Brighton bagged a leveller on 50 minutes as Joel Veltman drilled home Solly March’s lay-off.
And while Manchester United remained behind at Selhurst Park, Pascal Gross all-but ended West Ham’s hopes with a 79th-minute strike to put Brighton ahead.
Danny Welbeck scored a third in stoppage-time to confirm the Hammers’ place in the Europa Conference League for 2022/23.
