WEST BROMWICH, England -- Alex Ferguson. Former Manchester United manager. At the end of his 1,500th game in charge of Man United on Sunday, the 71-year-old Scot bowed in front of thousands of applauding fans -- and then bowed out of football for good. The most successful managerial career in British football history is over, leaving a void that might not be filled for generations. And what a thrilling way to bow out at West Bromwich Albion in central England -- the first 5-5 draw in the Premier League on the back of a 13th championship for Ferguson. John Sivebaek scored 9,675 days ago for the first United goal under Ferguson, and Javier Hernandez scored the last. "It is not only a loss for the British fans but he has changed football across the world," Hernandez said. "He has been here for 26 years and made the impossible dream come true." The official retirement party was last week at home when 76,000 fans at Old Trafford saluted Ferguson for delivering the record-extending 20 English league title for United. Referee Michael Oliver, only 1-year-old when Ferguson took charge of United in 1986, blew the whistle on his glittering career at the Hawthorns. From now on, the defensive fragilities on display Sunday are incoming manager David Moyes problem. After the match, the manager went over to bow to the United fans who had backed him as he waited until 1990 to win the first of 38 trophies for the club. Ferguson, a keen wine aficionado who is planning trips to various vineyards in his retirement, later shared a $140 bottle of 2003 Chateau Pontet Canet Pauillac with West Brom manager Steve Clarke. "He said it was a good year," Clarke said. "Its great he has gone out as a champion ... anyone who was in the stadium will remember it for years." As customary as Fergusons post-match bottle of wine with rivals is his reluctance to attend the media conference. Sunday was no different. But he cant have been pleased to see his team throw away a 4-2 lead to be pegged back to 5-5. It had seemed like fate that Ferguson would witness his team conjuring another memorable goal in stoppage-time that had characterized his reign. "I was waiting for some Fergie Time," United striker Robin van Persie said. "But it didnt happen. It was good fun for everyone, to score 10 goals." United defender Rio Ferdinand added on Twitter: "What a mad result! Lets be honest the boss was never going out with a boring 0-0!!" Ferguson signalled hes ready for a quieter life by placidly watching his players rip West Brom apart and then showed none of the usual anger at their capitulation. But the scorers on this day will be long forgotten -- it was all about the manager in the opposition dugout. Now a former manager. A son of a ship-builder from Govan in Scotland and a top player in his native country from 1957-74, Ferguson entered management with East Stirlingshire in 1974. He moved to St. Mirren later that year and was hired by Aberdeen in 1978, making his mark by breaking the dominance of Rangers and Celtic. After a brief taste of international football with Scotland at the 1986 World Cup, Ferguson was lured from Aberdeen to United in November 1986. Since then he has won 13 Premier League titles, the Champions League twice, five FA Cups, four League Cups, the European Cup Winners Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the Club World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and 10 Community Shields. Little wonder that even West Brom fans were buying the commemorative scarves being sold by enterprising salesman outside of the stadium. Ferguson could see them from the team bus as it pulled into the ground. In the stands were affectionate banners, including "Thank you dinosaur." Before kickoff, West Broms players formed a guard of honour for the champions and were then joined by the United team to usher Ferguson onto the pitch. "What the West Brom fans did was a nice touch," Van Persie said, before also referring to the retiring Paul Scholes. "Of course, when you speak about players like Scholesy and managers like Sir Alex, I think its right to do that (show respect). It doesnt always happen in football but today it did, and Im glad that it did." Just like in every one of his previous 1,499 matches, Ferguson featured an academy graduate in his squad -- a hallmark that has helped to deliver such unprecedented success. One of those, Scholes, came off the bench in the 69th minute to make his 718th and final appearance for the club at which he had spent his entire career. It was a party atmosphere from the start, with red flares being set off in the United end. Ferguson, though, was the calmest United representative when Shinji Kagawa headed his side in front after six minutes. West Brom gifted United another inside three minutes, with Jonas Olsson turning Antonio Valencias cross-shot past his own goal goalkeeper, and Alexander Buttner grabbed a third in the 31st minute. Just when United looked like inflicting a humiliating result, James Morrison pulled one back five minutes before halftime. Substitute Romelu Lukaku reduced the deficit in the 50th before Van Persie cancelled it out three minutes later. Ryan Giggs, who has featured in every one of Uniteds title-winning teams, came off the bench to set up Hernandez to tap into the net to make it 5-2. A cruising United was too relaxed, and West Brom spoiled the party with goals from Lukaku and Youssouf Mulumbu in the 81st. It was Lukaku who bundled the ball into the net to complete his hat trick and become the last player to score against a Ferguson team. When the end came, Ferguson shook hands with Clarke before being ushered by Giggs to thank their visiting fans. The home fans showed their appreciation, too. They got to witness the end of an era. swell France . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. swell Bouteille France . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. http://www.swellbouteille.fr/ . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Bouteille swell La Baie . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. swell Bouteille Isotherme . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady wont return to an undefeated team after all.But following the Buffalo Bills surprise 16-0 shutout victory at New England Sunday, he will come back to an AFC East that is suddenly tighter a month into the season.Buffalos win was a continuation of an offensive turnaround that seemed improbable after a 0-2 start.The change in direction began with the firing of offensive coordinator Greg Roman and promotion of assistant Anthony Lynn. It is now in full bloom after back-to-back wins over Arizona and New England.For sure, were confident in coach Lynn, running back LeSean McCoy said. Each game, each time he has a shot he has to call a play, different situations, hes answering every time. ... We loved him already before he was an offensive coordinator, and now were just falling in love with the calls that hes making.And for a team that seemed to be going nowhere two weeks ago, getting just its second win in 16 visits to Foxborough is a very big deal.A big part of the reason is quarterback Tyrod Taylor. In his second year as a starter, he has found confidence with his throwing.He had trouble reading coverages and throwing the deep ball earlier in the season, but didnt exhibit those issues in picking apart a veteran New England defense that is having trouble defending the pass this season.Buffalos defense also took a big step by handing the Patriots their first shutout loss at Gillette Stadium.Even with Brady serving the final game of his four-game Deflategate ban, cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman said its something to build on.So was the camaraderie his teammates showed about an hour before the game, when Bills safety Robert Blanton and others were involved in a shoving match with Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett and receiver Malcolm Mitchell.Robey-Coleman said he and other Buffalo players felt disrespected when the Patriots players twice ran through their pregame warmups.Several punches were thrown when a shoving match erupted near the sideline. The altercation appeared to begin when Brissett was jogging along the field and was shoved by Bills safety Robert Blanton.Brissett didnt stop, and Mitchell retaliated by shoving Blanton. Blanton responded by punching Mitchell in the chest and head-butting him, which led to several other players and assistant coaches getting involved before it was broken up.When he didd that, it kind of put a fire up underneath us, Robey-Coleman said.dddddddddddd We came out there with some fire. And it was like, `Nah, we aint going to let nobody disrespect us no matter where were at.WELCOME BACK BRADY: As bad as things went for the Patriots on Sunday, Bradys return to the team on Monday is welcomed for several reasons. Not only do they get back the leader of their offense, but they get back a healthy player at the position with Jimmy Garoppolo still recovering from his shoulder injury and Brissett not 100 percent after tweaking his right thumb last week. Receiver Julian Edelman said his presence will help everyone refocus.Any time one of your best players isnt there, theres something missing, Edelman said. We handled a lot of it well. Today we just didnt. The Bills outplayed us, so thats that.A LITTLE MORE GRONK: After going without a catch in his season debut last week, Rob Gronkowski got his first reception of 2016 with an 11-yard reception in the fourth quarter. With it, he took over sole possession of 20th place among NFL tight ends. Gronkowski (5,566) needs 161 yards to move past Irving Fryar (5,726) into fourth place on the Patriots career receiving list.BOUNCING BACK: Following a 0-2 start, Ryan looked forward to Buffalos next two opponents.He said Arizona and New England would be a great test to see how his team responds. The Bills passed with flying colors in winning both games, starting with a 33-18 win over the Cardinals.Yeah, not one of the more brilliant statements Ive had, Ryan said with a self-deprecating laugh. Well, I feel a lot better.SACK ATTACK: The Bills had three sacks against the Patriots.Buffalo has 13 sacks in four games after managing just 21 last season -- a franchise low for a 16-game schedule. Last season, the Bills failed to record more than two sacks in one game. This season, the Bills have had three or more three times.More encouraging is the Bills defense prepares to welcome back star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, who missed the first four games serving a suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy.---AP NFL websites: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower ' ' '