Todays match at Old Trafford was inevitably going to be all about Wayne Rooney's first start in the EPL in over a month. During that time he had announced he would not sign a new contract because of United's lack of ambition. Before sensationally signing a new five year contract three days later worth in the region of 65 million pounds. He then spent a week at Nike World in Oregon with specialist staff to work on his troublesome ankle injury, losing half a stone in the process.
But today's match was all abou
t United's and particularly Berbatov's absolute demolition of an in-form Blackburn side that had won three out of their last four outings. The tone of the match was set very early on with Berbatov scoring his first goal since his hat-trick against Liverpool in September. Robinson collided with Anderson as they both raced onto a through-ball, the ball came back to Nani who played in a in-swinging right-footed cross from the edge of the area that was met with deft header from Rooney to Berbatov to stab home from close range with only two minutes gone. Blackburn were still in the game with United playing a dangerous game with their passing at times although Van Der Sar was never tested in the first half. All hopes of a Rover's comeback were soon ended when Park found Rooney on the edge of the box before Rooney played a perfectly waited through-ball back to Park who then chipped the on-rushing Robinson to make the score 2-0 and realistically end all hopes of a Rover's comeback. Berba added a second to his tally after Chimbonda played a horrendous back pass to Berbatov who willing smashed the ball in the top left hand corner.
The second half started out a carbon copy of the first with Berbatov completing his hat-trick less than two minutes in after fine build up play released Nani down the right before pulling the ball back for Berbatov to make it 4-0. Nani then scored a left-footed curler from inside the box. Berbatov made took his tally to four after stabbing the ball home after Parks initial effort was blocked inside the box. It was five for Berba when he finished form a tight angle after his ball for Rooney came back off the defender to cap off a magnificent performance for the Bulgarian. Rovers got a consolation goal in the 83rd minute when Blackburn captain Samba headed in a free kick from the left hand side.
Berbatov was outstanding in every aspect today, scoring five goals to become a member of only a hand-full of players to ever score five goals in a Premier league match. Not only this but he nearly became the first to ever score six but only for Robinson to save his firm header and deny him the feat. Rooney was also in fine form providing two assists and put in an all-round good performance, it will still take a lot more than just good performances to win over the hardcore United faithful but its a start.
But today's match was all abou
t United's and particularly Berbatov's absolute demolition of an in-form Blackburn side that had won three out of their last four outings. The tone of the match was set very early on with Berbatov scoring his first goal since his hat-trick against Liverpool in September. Robinson collided with Anderson as they both raced onto a through-ball, the ball came back to Nani who played in a in-swinging right-footed cross from the edge of the area that was met with deft header from Rooney to Berbatov to stab home from close range with only two minutes gone. Blackburn were still in the game with United playing a dangerous game with their passing at times although Van Der Sar was never tested in the first half. All hopes of a Rover's comeback were soon ended when Park found Rooney on the edge of the box before Rooney played a perfectly waited through-ball back to Park who then chipped the on-rushing Robinson to make the score 2-0 and realistically end all hopes of a Rover's comeback. Berba added a second to his tally after Chimbonda played a horrendous back pass to Berbatov who willing smashed the ball in the top left hand corner.The second half started out a carbon copy of the first with Berbatov completing his hat-trick less than two minutes in after fine build up play released Nani down the right before pulling the ball back for Berbatov to make it 4-0. Nani then scored a left-footed curler from inside the box. Berbatov made took his tally to four after stabbing the ball home after Parks initial effort was blocked inside the box. It was five for Berba when he finished form a tight angle after his ball for Rooney came back off the defender to cap off a magnificent performance for the Bulgarian. Rovers got a consolation goal in the 83rd minute when Blackburn captain Samba headed in a free kick from the left hand side.
Berbatov was outstanding in every aspect today, scoring five goals to become a member of only a hand-full of players to ever score five goals in a Premier league match. Not only this but he nearly became the first to ever score six but only for Robinson to save his firm header and deny him the feat. Rooney was also in fine form providing two assists and put in an all-round good performance, it will still take a lot more than just good performances to win over the hardcore United faithful but its a start.
In truth United could have had a least another fours goals as Blackburn were beyond awful with nearly one in three passes going astray and almost nothing in the attack department. This was an impressive performance by United but make no mistake they won't come up against many teams as poor as Blackburn were today. It will be very interesting over the next few weeks to see how Berbatov's and Rooney's strike partnership will perform over the coming weeks. The link-up play was a delight to watch all game and with Rooney still lacking match fitness, this duo could put a serious dent in Chelsea's title aspirations.
An impressive display by united but tonight was truly Berbatov's night. His gotten a lot of stick off the United faithful over the last two seasons but it looks like his is finely starting to prove he was worth every penny of his 30 million pound fee this season.
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