Tevez's winner against Manchester United made things simple in footballing terms, the Hammers completing a remarkable run of seven wins in their last nine matches to finish the season three points clear of the drop zone, while Sheffield United were consigned to the drop by their 2-1 home defeat by Wigan.

But the controversy over whether West Ham should have been docked points for breaching the league's transfer rules when they signed Tevez and fellow Argentina star Javier Mascherano last August showed no sign of dying down.

Wigan, Fulham, Sheffield United and Charlton have all explored the possibility of a legal challenge to the decision by an independent disciplinary panel to only fine West Ham for their breaches of the rules.

Despite his side surviving, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said he would support legal action, despite the league's insistence that any challenge would be bound to fail because the clubs themselves all signed up to the disciplinary procedures that produced the decision.

Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe called on league chiefs to review the decision not to take points off West Ham.

"The fans of one club are in despair because their club has been relegated," he said.

"To have the kick in the teeth of losing our (Premiership) status because we have played by the rules when another club hasn't... it ain't cricket.

"We have played to the rules and one club hasn't played by the rules and the FA Premier League should do something about it."

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insisted his squad had earned the right to stay up.

"Let's be fair about it. Whatever the circumstances, to come to Manchester United on the last day of the season and win is fantastic.

"I hope I never have to go through it again and I hope West Ham never have to go through it again."

At Bramall Lane, a penalty converted by former Sheffield United player David Unsworth just before half-time proved enough to earn Wigan a 2-1 win after Blades striker Jon Stead had cancelled out Paul Scharner's opener for the visitors.

The home side twice hit the woodwork in a frantic second half and Wigan had to cling on desperately for over 20 minutes at the end of the match after Lee McCulloch received his second yellow card of the afternoon.

But Neil Warnock's side were unable to produce the equaliser that would have kept them in the top flight, instead dropping back to the Championship after just one season because their goal difference was inferior to Wigan's.

"It is such a cruel game sometimes," said Warnock. "We just could not climb the final hurdle and we will suffer the consequences. To go down on goal difference ... you just feel very bitter." Warnock was particularly bitter about the weakened line-up Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson put out to face West Ham, presumably with one eye on next weekend's FA Cup final against Chelsea.

"I must admit I thought Sir Alex would play a stronger team than that but it was not to be," Warnock said. "To see them celebrating (the title) on the pitch leaves a bitter taste in your mouth."

Wigan boss Paul Jewell admitted he had been left "physically and mentally drained" by Sunday's events. "It was a long, long 45 minutes, that second half."

First-half goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane allowed Tottenham to beat Manchester City 2-1 at home and ensure that Martin Jol's side matched last season's fifth-place finish.

Despite Emile Mpenza pulling a goal back five minutes before the break, City were unable to take anything from what may have been manager Stuart Pearce's last match in charge.

Everton, who drew 1-1 at Chelsea, finished one place back while Bolton claimed seventh place and the final UEFA Cup spot after a 2-2 home draw with Aston Villa.

Didier Drogba's equaliser for Chelsea after James Vaughan had given Everton the lead extended the club's unbeaten home run in the league to 63 matches, equalling the record set by the great Liverpool side of the late 1970s.

A last-minute penalty by Harry Kewell earned Liverpool a 2-2 draw at home to Charlton and ensured that the Reds edged out Arsenal, who could only manage a goalless draw at Portsmouth, for third place on goal difference.

Elsewhere, Benni McCarthy scored his 24th goal of the season as Blackburn shared the points in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Reading while Mark Viduka marked what may well have been his final game for Middlesbrough with a double to help his side to a 3-1 win over Fulham.