1986-87 Season - May
Summary
The great escape was complete when United secured a point at West Ham.
Two defeats followed leaving United in 17th, 5 points ahead of 20th placed Leicester.
Diary
| 1986/87 | 2nd May | Div 1 | WHU [A] | Drew | 1-1 [1-0] | 17,844 |
- Thomas M
- McDonald [1p]
- Wharton
- McCreery
- Jackson P
- Roeder
- Jackson D [s]
- Gascoigne
- Goddard
- Cunningham
- Anderson
- Wrightson [s7]
One point at Upton Park was enough to guarantee safety for McFaul's men.
Neil McDonald [7th] gave United an early lead with his 5th successful penalty of the season thus maintaining his 100% record. With confidence flowing Newcastle continued to take the game to the Hammers.
West Ham were thrown a lifeline when the referee controversially awarded them a penalty but Martin Thomas (making his 300th appearance) brilliantly saved Cottee's spot kick.
Six minutes from time Mark Ward equalised with a 25 yard free-kick and a couple of minutes later Ando was sent-off for swearing at a linesman.
| 1986/87 | 4th May | Div 1 | Charlton [H] | Lost | 0-3 [0-2] | 26,950 |
- Thomas M
- Anderson
- Wharton
- Wrightson [s]
- Jackson P
- Roeder
- Stephenson
- Gascoigne
- Jackson D
- Cunningham
- Tinnion
- Thomas A [s4]
With Goddard and McCreery injured and McDonald suspended McFaul was forced to shuffle his pack against a Charlton side who would eventually finish one place above the relegation zone.
It was a terrible performance as United slumped to their worst home defeat of the season against a side that had lost 13/20 of their away games.
| 1986/87 | 9th May | Div 1 | Nottm F [A] | Lost | 1-2 [0-2] | 17,788 |
- Thomas M
- Anderson
- Wharton
- McCreery
- Jackson P
- Roeder
- Jackson D
- Gascoigne [1]
- Cunningham
- Thomas A
- Tinnion
- Davies [s7]
A strikeforce of Cunningham and Andy Thomas did not bode well but with new U21 call-up Gazza in ebullient mood United gave as good as they got in a well contested first period.
Unfortunately Foster put the Foresters ahead against the run of play and then Stuart Pearce blasted home a penalty just before the break.
Gascoigne pulled one back in the second half. The match was marred by trouble after the game when both sets of supporters swarmed onto the pitch.
It proved to be the last game for Alan Davies and Tony Cunningham