Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov registered his third hat-trick of the season as the Premier League leaders clinically brushed aside the challenge of Birmingham City 5–0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
When the two teams met back in December, Lee Bowyer spoiled Sir Alex Ferguson’s Christmas with a last gasp equalizer for Birmingham in a hard fought 1–1 draw.
Saturday’s encounter proved to be a very different affair with United setting the agenda in only the second minute of the game. Ryan Giggs chipped a corner to the near post where John O’Shea, making his first start since November, stooped to flick the ball on with a clever back header that found Berbatov unmarked in front of goal.
Wayne Rooney made the second for his strike partner and the Bulgarian slotted the ball home with aplomb.
Giggs is playing like a man 10 years younger right now and on the stroke of halftime he finished well for United’s third after an impressive build-up involving Berbatov, who somehow managed to rob Alexander Hleb of the ball while lying flat on the ground, and Wayne Rooney.
With United three goals to the good at the break it already looked like game over but they were by no means finished. The second half was only seven minutes old when Giggs, Rooney, and Berbatov combined yet again to set up the latter for his hat-trick.
Nani completed the formalities on 75 minutes with a trademark cut inside and left-footed shot from 20 yards that was too good for hapless ex-United keeper Ben Foster.
Sir Alex Ferguson was understandably delighted with his team, saying on the Premier League website that, “It was a marvelous performance from Dimitar. He could have scored more. We were a bit wasteful with our finishing at times but you can’t complain at the performance. We hope the goals are going to come for Wayne [Rooney]. He is working his socks off.”
The pick of the goals was the second, which came after 58 minutes. Cesc Fabregas floated a sublime 30-yard pass over the Wigan defense which van Persie managed to get on the end of . He expertly volleyed the ball home with his left foot.
When the two teams met back in December, Lee Bowyer spoiled Sir Alex Ferguson’s Christmas with a last gasp equalizer for Birmingham in a hard fought 1–1 draw.
Saturday’s encounter proved to be a very different affair with United setting the agenda in only the second minute of the game. Ryan Giggs chipped a corner to the near post where John O’Shea, making his first start since November, stooped to flick the ball on with a clever back header that found Berbatov unmarked in front of goal.
Wayne Rooney made the second for his strike partner and the Bulgarian slotted the ball home with aplomb.
Giggs is playing like a man 10 years younger right now and on the stroke of halftime he finished well for United’s third after an impressive build-up involving Berbatov, who somehow managed to rob Alexander Hleb of the ball while lying flat on the ground, and Wayne Rooney.
With United three goals to the good at the break it already looked like game over but they were by no means finished. The second half was only seven minutes old when Giggs, Rooney, and Berbatov combined yet again to set up the latter for his hat-trick.
Nani completed the formalities on 75 minutes with a trademark cut inside and left-footed shot from 20 yards that was too good for hapless ex-United keeper Ben Foster.
Sir Alex Ferguson was understandably delighted with his team, saying on the Premier League website that, “It was a marvelous performance from Dimitar. He could have scored more. We were a bit wasteful with our finishing at times but you can’t complain at the performance. We hope the goals are going to come for Wayne [Rooney]. He is working his socks off.”
Hat-Trick for Van Persie
Dutch international Robin Van Persie scored all three goals for Arsenal in a routine 3–0 demolition of Wigan Athletic, and would have had a fourth had he not skied a 69th minute penalty kick over the bar.The pick of the goals was the second, which came after 58 minutes. Cesc Fabregas floated a sublime 30-yard pass over the Wigan defense which van Persie managed to get on the end of . He expertly volleyed the ball home with his left foot.
