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Berbatov lift United 5-0 against Wigan

Comment: 0 December 27th, 2011 by: admin

A spectacular hat-trick from Dimitar Berbatov allowed Manchester United to ease past Wigan and clinch a devastating 5-0 victory last Monday at Old Trafford.

Coming off a tremendous win at Fulham with the same score, the Red Devils extend their winning streak to 5 matches with a match that also saw conversions from Ji-Sung Park and Antonio Valencia.

The road to victory began with an early opener from Park in the 9^th minute – enough to raise the energy and atmosphere in the stadium stands.

Wigan’s desperate attempts to equalise were hampered as Connor Sammon was sent off in the 38^th minute, right before Berbatov netted his first of three 4 minutes before the end of the 1^st half.

The striker would convert his second goal by the 59^th minute from an assist from Valenica, who would score United’s 4^th goal on the 75^th.

With 12 minutes left in regulation time, Berbatov stepped up for an effortless bottom-right penalty kick that tallied his third goal, and the fifth for United, leaving Wigan with no window for any respectable response.

The win also see United level in Premier League points with current leaders and bitter rivals Manchester City, who are held at the top spot only by goal difference.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson received the win with some celebration, but the coach’s tone suggested a need for focus and commitment in the coming weeks.

‘It’s a long season, but we want to get to New Year’s Day and, if we are top of the league or joint top with City on New Year’s Day, I will be happy.  We are really hitting good form.

‘The consistency of the team is very good now, but injuries are mounting up and we are getting our fair share,’ he continued.  ‘We have had a nightmare the last few days.’

Although Ferguson admits that the injuries – a sick Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, and an injured Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans – threatened their performance Monday, the final score was more than favourable.

Wigan’s side carried some unsatisfaction due to the controversial sending off of Conor, whose left arm caught Red Devils midfielder Michael Carrick.  Replays confirmed that the red card was indeed too harsh a decision for the incident.

‘The red card is a shocking decision,’ said manager Roberto Martinez.  ‘There was a little bit of a fight, as there was every time the two players went for the ball.  None of them should have been a red card.  None of them were malicious.  There was no intent.  If you want to show a red card using those standards, do it, then you will end up with six men each.

‘Anyone who has been on a football pitch knows that incident was a normal action,’ he challenged.  ‘I was surprised when he gave the free-kick.  To see the red card, I was gob-smacked.’

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