Dimitar Berbatov bags five of United's seven goals against Blackburn !
Match Preview - Manchester United 7-1 Blackburn Rovers
Competition: Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 3pm, Saturday 27th November
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home)
Attendance:
Manchester United played their best football all season on Saturday, as they laid siege to Blackburn Rovers with a little help from a certain Bulgarian who goes by the name of Dimitar Berbatov. The often-criticised striker scored five of The Red's seven goals, ending his goal drought of 10 games and topping the goalscorer charts.
Ji-Sung Park and Luis Nani also made their way onto the scoresheet, as Berba scored not once, but five times. Wayne Rooney was unlucky not to have bagged himself a goal, as he played a blinder for the full 90 minutes - acting as playmaker to Berbatov among others...
Sir Alex Ferguson completely altered his back four after United's 1-0 win away to Rangers, as Rafael Da Silva, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra started, with Michael Carrick and Anderson filling-in for Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher - who both missed the tie through injury. Ji-Sung Park was the only other change on the team-sheet, with Wayne Rooney and the out-of-form Dimitar Berbatov paired in the strike department.
Out-of-form quickly became in-form, as Berbatov tapped-in from close range within just 1 minute, 12 seconds. Anderson appeared to have fouled Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson in the build-up, but referee Lee Probert allowed play to continue, as Luis Nani crossed-in for Berba to side-foot the football into the back of the net with Robinson scampering across goal.
Competition: Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 3pm, Saturday 27th November
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home)
Attendance:
Manchester United played their best football all season on Saturday, as they laid siege to Blackburn Rovers with a little help from a certain Bulgarian who goes by the name of Dimitar Berbatov. The often-criticised striker scored five of The Red's seven goals, ending his goal drought of 10 games and topping the goalscorer charts.
Ji-Sung Park and Luis Nani also made their way onto the scoresheet, as Berba scored not once, but five times. Wayne Rooney was unlucky not to have bagged himself a goal, as he played a blinder for the full 90 minutes - acting as playmaker to Berbatov among others...
Sir Alex Ferguson completely altered his back four after United's 1-0 win away to Rangers, as Rafael Da Silva, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra started, with Michael Carrick and Anderson filling-in for Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher - who both missed the tie through injury. Ji-Sung Park was the only other change on the team-sheet, with Wayne Rooney and the out-of-form Dimitar Berbatov paired in the strike department.
Out-of-form quickly became in-form, as Berbatov tapped-in from close range within just 1 minute, 12 seconds. Anderson appeared to have fouled Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson in the build-up, but referee Lee Probert allowed play to continue, as Luis Nani crossed-in for Berba to side-foot the football into the back of the net with Robinson scampering across goal.
Dimitar Berbatov scores his first within 2 minutes of kick-off
Anderson had slid-in on Robinson, but to be honest the foul wasn't clear-cut, and in due course - it was forgotten about. United kept the pressure on Blackburn, who, from the outset didn't look very invigorated to emerge with a result at The Theatre Of Dreams.
Luis Nani and Berbatov had a couple of chances each, before the 23rd minute, Ji-Sung Park played a one-two with Wayne Rooney, setting-up the South Korean captain for United's second goal. He duly chipped over Robinson, notching his 5th goal of the campaign. Deadly.
Luis Nani and Berbatov had a couple of chances each, before the 23rd minute, Ji-Sung Park played a one-two with Wayne Rooney, setting-up the South Korean captain for United's second goal. He duly chipped over Robinson, notching his 5th goal of the campaign. Deadly.
Ji-Sung Park adds a second on 23 minutes
Just four minutes later, Berbatov scored his second. Blackburn defender Pascal Chimbonda then played an awful back-pass, which the Bulgarian striker intercepted and brilliantly struck past the keeper. The 29-year-old was wide awake, and on his way to a hat-trick.
Nemanja Vidic then had the chance to add a forth, missing an easy effort. While Nani also wasted a glorious effort. United completely eradicated any threat to Edwin Van Der Sar's goal, and went into half-time with fans at their most jubilant in months.
Nemanja Vidic then had the chance to add a forth, missing an easy effort. While Nani also wasted a glorious effort. United completely eradicated any threat to Edwin Van Der Sar's goal, and went into half-time with fans at their most jubilant in months.
Dimitar Berbatov doubles-up in the 27th minute
After the break, the man himself then completed his hat-trick just two minutes after the referee had blew his whistle for the beginning of the second half. Berba's goal from 12-yards out was thanks to some brilliant build-up play between Patrice Evra and Luis Nani, along with the in-form striker.
Dimitar's third goal came after ref. Probert had turned-down a stonewall penalty going into half time. The man from South Gloucestershire attempted to make-up for ticking-off Rovers' fans for his apparent error in the build-up to the first goal.
Nevertheless, Berbatov found his third...
Dimitar's third goal came after ref. Probert had turned-down a stonewall penalty going into half time. The man from South Gloucestershire attempted to make-up for ticking-off Rovers' fans for his apparent error in the build-up to the first goal.
Nevertheless, Berbatov found his third...
Dimitar Berbatov scores his second hat-trick of the season with 47 minutes gone
Only one minute later, Nani added United's fifth. Such was the performance that nearly every fan in the ground had lost their voice. Rooney and Berbatov combined time after time, but it was the Portuguese winger who struck a beauty into the far centre of the goal to grab his 7th goal of the season.
Rooney continued his glorious one-touch passing with 'The Berb', but no one could anticipate what would happen next...
Rooney continued his glorious one-touch passing with 'The Berb', but no one could anticipate what would happen next...
Luis Nani puts United 5-0 ahead, 48 minutes on the clock
Just past the hour mark, Park's shot was saved by Robinson - but his effort wasn't held, and the rebound was converted into the back of the net by Berbatov. It was United's sixth goal of the evening, and The Red Devils were now level on goal difference with Chelsea (who face Newcastle United on Sunday) as well as being three points ahead in the Premier League Title Race.
Arsenal had earlier put 4 past Aston Villa, with 2 in reply to send them top temporarily. However, their two-point lead had been wiped-out within 1½ minutes of the 3pm kick-off. United were flying high.
Arsenal had earlier put 4 past Aston Villa, with 2 in reply to send them top temporarily. However, their two-point lead had been wiped-out within 1½ minutes of the 3pm kick-off. United were flying high.
Dimitar Berbatov takes a nap after his forth on the hour mark
Amazingly, Manchester United weren't finished there. Jonny Evans replaced Nemanja Vidic, who handed the captaincy to Rio Ferdinand. Gabby Obertan then replaced Ji-Sung Park to assist Anderson, who was filling Paul Scholes outstandingly, in attack. Berbatov then scored his fifth.
Anderson played Dimi into the box on 70 minutes, his first shot was blocked well by Robinson, but the Bulgarian just stretched his foot out once more to guide the ball into the back of the net for The Reds' seventh. Perfect. His celebration was a simple high-five to the crowd...
Anderson played Dimi into the box on 70 minutes, his first shot was blocked well by Robinson, but the Bulgarian just stretched his foot out once more to guide the ball into the back of the net for The Reds' seventh. Perfect. His celebration was a simple high-five to the crowd...
High five: Dimitar Berbatov creates seventh heaven ('70)
Blackburn responded with a Christopher Samba goal - which put United's scoreline in perspective. It wasn't a clean sheet from The Reds, but they equalled their last highest scoring game... 7-1 at home to AS Roma if I remember correctly - over three years ago.
United are now top of the Premier League, Berbatov top of the scorers list, and Old Trafford on top of the world with a scintillating eight-goal thriller...
United are now top of the Premier League, Berbatov top of the scorers list, and Old Trafford on top of the world with a scintillating eight-goal thriller...
Christopher Samba grabs a consolation in the 83rd minute
United Team: Edwin Van Der Sar, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic (Jonny Evans '64), Rafael Da Silva, Anderson,Ji-Sung Park (Gabriel Obertan '72), Michael Carrick, Luis Nani, Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney.
Goals: Berbatov '2, '27, '47, '62, '70, Park '23, Nani '48
Goals: Berbatov '2, '27, '47, '62, '70, Park '23, Nani '48
source: united-latest.com
