Fergie, Carragher, Owen, bid our beautiful game farewell in spectacular fashion

              

             

The curtain was brought down on a remarkable career as Sir Alex Ferguson took charge of Manchester United for the last time against West Brom.

The 71-year-old Scot, who will be replaced by David Moyes, won 13 league titles, two European Cups, five FA Cups, two League Cups and a European Cup-Winners' Cup in his time at Old Trafford.

And his 27-year reign ended with a 10-goal thriller as West Brom fought back from 5-2 down to draw 5-5 with the champions.

                   

                        

                 

                

              


Ferguson was given a guard of honour from both teams and a rapturous ovation from the fans as he walked on to the pitch at The Hawthorns.

He was then comically handed a fresh packet of chewing gum by the West Brom mascot, Baggie Bird.

It didn't take long for Ferguson's team to go in front as Shinji Kagawa opened the scoring in the sixth minute, before a Jonas Olsson own goal three minutes later gave Manchester United a 2-0 lead.

Alexander Buttner made it 3-0 for United after half an hour but James Morrison pulled one back for the hosts just before half time.

Romelu Lukaku then scored in the 50th minute to spark hopes of a West Brom comeback, but Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez extended United's lead.

              

                

              

Amazingly, West Brom pulled it back to 5-5 with four minutes remaining through two goals from Lukaku and one from Youssouf Mulumbu.

After all said and done, the 10 goal thriller was enough to give the finest coach the united kingdom has ever seen a glorious send forth.

            

Jamie Carragher also said goodbye to the sport when Philippe Coutinho's 23rd-minute goal settled the encounter against relegated QPR but all the attention was on the veteran centre-back on his 737th and final appearance.

            

He almost capped it with a superb goal - he scored on his full debut in front of the Kop - but his sweetly-struck 25-yard shot cannoned back off the post.

"I'll have to watch it again - I thought it was in," said the 35-year-old.

"I'm not the type to get too emotional but it is emotional. I've got my friends and family in the stands but I just wanted to concentrate on the game.

                

"We got the win that we wanted and I can go and enjoy myself now."

He added on LFC TV: "It was a special send-off for me and a day I'll never forget.

"I've been playing here a long time and it's sad to think I'll never play at this stadium again in a competitive game.

"But it has to come to an end at some stage and I've got some great memories."

             

After playing for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United, Micheal Owen announced in March he would hang up his boots after just one season in the Potteries.

Owen's final appearance came away at Southampton, coming on for the final 16 minutes of a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the south coast.

The striker was given a standing ovation by all inside a sold-out St Mary's and, despite having failed to make a league start for Stoke, boss Pulis praised the influence he has had at the Britannia Stadium.

          

"It was always the plan to bring him on," he said. "He had a great chance in the second half to actually put the icing on the cake.

"If he had scored, I think even the Southampton supporters would have given him a round of applause.

"He got a great reception and he deserves it. He has been a very, very good pro for us and, not just his football side, he is a very, very good family man.

"We're pleased with the year he has been with us. He is good fun to work with, a good person to work with and we wish him all the best for the future."