The Argentina forward scored the only goal at Old Trafford as the Hammers climbed to 15th place at the end of a day which coiuld have seen them join Charlton Athletic and Watford in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The defeat did not cast a shadow over United’s title celebrations but it cast a deep pall of gloom over Bramall Lane as Sheffield United slid back into the second tier.

It is hard to imagine such contrasting emotions within the respective sets of supporters.

While United prepared to party, collecting three individual honours before kick-off, including Sir Alex Ferguson’s manager of the year award, and awaited presentation of the Barclays Premiership trophy after the final whistle, for West Ham’s travelling army it was a day of shredded nerves.

They attempted to remain positive, even as the knowledge of Wigan Athletic’s early strike against the Blades sank in, but as the game unfolded, their worst fears appeared to be coming true.

Despite indicating he would play his strongest team, Ferguson left Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes on the bench and consigned former Hammer Rio Ferdinand to the stand.

Yet, after a slow start, United began to dominate.

Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith gave their all to boost a United side who still hold the memories of title bids running aground at Upton Park in 1992 and 1995.

Rooney had already bobbled a couple of efforts wide when Michael Carrick swung a corner to the near post where Smith met it with an astute flick.

Just as the ball looked set to drop in, up popped Yossi Benayoun to nod it away. The Israel winger could hardly be viewed as a defensive bulwark but in such circumstances, unlikely heroes can be found and Benayoun remained solid and cleared again as Kieran Richardson blasted the rebound at him.

There was more anguish to endure for the Hammers as John O’Shea rose to power another Carrick corner goalwards, only for Robert Green to respond with a magnificent fingertip save.

West Ham’s spirited defiance duly received its reward when Tevez struck.

Unable to deal with Green’s long punt forward, United’s defence was split by an exchange of passes between Tevez and Bobby Zamora, the Argentine eventually squeezing the ball into the far corner beyond Edwin van der Sar.

Curbishley’s stomach must have churned 12 minutes after the restart when Ferguson sent Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes on.

All three looked eager to make an impact as the Hammers bedded themselves in for a rearguard action.

The visitors efforts were aided by some less than accurate United passing around the penalty area and indeed, had Tevez or Luis Boa Morte been more accurate, the Hammers would have been spared a few worn fingernails.

Still, with Green in top form, Curbishley had cause for optimism and, with 15 minutes left, the former Norwich man stuck out a hand to stop Ronaldo’s powerful header before diving gratefully on the loose ball.

United had more opportunities, with Richardson and Scholes both going close.

But once John O’Shea had been denied a penalty after going down under Luis Boa Morte's challenge, the Hammers could join in the party.

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