Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Upton Park rocks one last time, Gordon D’Arcy on Johnny Sexton’s influence at Racing and Seán Moran on the GAA’s inequality issue

Anthony Martial was Manchester United’s one shining light in the defeat to West Ham. Photograph: Afp
Anthony Martial was Manchester United’s one shining light in the defeat to West Ham. Photograph: Afp
Wed May 11 2016 - 08:37

Upton Park’s last stand

So then, goodbye Upton Park. One of English football's finest old grounds bid farewell in fine style last night as West Ham beat Manchester United 3-2 in the final ever game at the Boleyn.

Any fears Slaven Bilic’s side may be overcome by the emotion of the occasion were quickly put to bed as they raced out of the blocks when the game finally started at 8.30pm, with kick off delayed due to the visitors’ coach being unable to get to the ground due to the crowds outside.

And Louis van Gaal’s side may as well have stayed on the bus, as they delivered the type of spineless and gutless performance which has come to epitomise the Dutchman’s tenure at Old Trafford.

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Tonight Sunderland can secure their top flight survival and consign rivals Newcastle United to the Championship when they face Everton at the Stadium of Light. A win for the Black Cats would also relegate Norwich City, who play Watford at Carrow Road.

Gordon D’Arcy

In his column today Gordon D'Arcy looks ahead to this weekend's European Champions Cup final between Racing 92 and Saracens, and suggests Johnny Sexton was a driving force in instilling the winner's attitude now prevalent at the Parisian club.

He writes: “I would contend that Johnny is one of a select few responsible in laying the groundwork for the winning culture the Racing players and staff now accept on a daily basis.”

However he also laments the current state of Europe’s premier club competition: “The previous Heineken Cup structure would probably still produce a winner from Toulon. Saracens or Racing - the cream would still rise to the top - but it at least provided scope for a more compelling tournament with one-off wins meaning more than they do now.”

Seán Moran

And in his column Sean Moran looks at the issue of inequality within the GAA, something he says is "creating a dilemma for the GAA in the general administration of its games."

What to watch out for:

There are three Premier League games tonight with Sunderland playing Everton, Norwich against Watford and Chelsea travelling to Anfield.