EPL: Dimitar Berbatov's Hat-Trick Lifts Manchester United Over Birmingham City

Dimitar Berbatov scored his third hat-trick of the season as he helped Manchester United destroy Birmingham City 5-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Bulgarian striker, who prior to this match was joint top-scorer with Carlos Tevez in the Premier League, increased his tally to 18 goals in all competitions.  He also became only the third United player, along with Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Andy Cole, to score three hat-tricks in a Premier League season. And to think we’re just halfway through the year so far!

Berbatov’s first goal was a fruit of United’s first attack of the match in the second minute itself. Liam Ridgewell conceded a corner, which was taken by Ryan Giggs. Giggs chipped the ball to John O’Shea at the near post, whose header was calmly helped into the goal by Berbatov. Incidentally, Berbatov’s last goal in the league was also against Birmingham last month at St. Andrews.

Berbatov almost had a second goal a few minutes later, but his shot was kept out by Ben Foster’s legs. It was a ruthless attack from United there onward. The Red Devils were swarming forward in numbers and pressing the Blues into their own half, wanting to put the game to bed as soon as possible. It was a sorry sight for the traveling Birmingham fans seated near that end.

There was a temporary break in United’s flourish when Michael Carrick had to be substituted after Alexandre Hleb stomped on the former’s ankle in a 50-50 challenge. Darren Gibson’s introduction was immediately followed by the Blues’ first chance of the match when David Bentley shot from a wide angle to produce a diving punch from Edwin van der Sar. Keith Fahey’s rebound effort flew wide.

Birmingham enjoyed a brief spell of possession after that effort, helped by a string of well-placed passes. But in the 31st minute, Roger Johnson gifted the ball to Anderson in midfield. The Brazilian fed Rooney, who then found Berbatov, and the Bulgarian drilled a low shot past Foster.

Berbatov almost had his hat-trick a minute later in United’s next attacking move, but his curling effort flew wide of the post. Just as United looked to go into the break up 2-0, Giggs celebrated his contract extension with a peach of a goal that had "teamwork" written all over it.

Berbatov slid in with a rare tackle to rob Hleb, the ball finding Rooney. The pair played a brilliant one-two before Rooney whipped in a low cross to the far post. Giggs met the cross and chipped it into goal from a tight angle outside the 6-yard box. It was the kind of goal that makes you wonder whether the man is really 37 years old!

Two minutes into the second half, United almost had a fourth goal. Rooney, who had been instrumental in all three of United’s goals so far, couldn’t believe his eyes when he botched a terrific effort, created by Nani, wide. But United didn’t have to wait long for the fourth goal, as it arrived just six minutes later.

The sparkling trio of Giggs, Rooney and Berbatov were at it again. The move actually originated from a clearance by Van der Sar, which found Rooney on the left flank. The English hitman displayed some wonderful control before passing to Giggs, who squared the ball to Berbatov in the box. He wasn’t going to miss his hat-trick of hat-tricks from six yards out. It wasn’t too long ago United fans were calling for the Bulgarian’s head, so talk about silencing your critics!

Fahey had a wonderful opportunity to get a consolation goal for his side in the 59th minute after Matt Derbyshire’s cross found the Irishman in front of an open goal. But Fahey didn’t time his run properly and horrendously missed, to Birmingham's dismay.

The 75,326-strong Old Trafford crowd were pushing their side to score a fifth, and Nani wasn’t doing much to please them. The winger, who has 11 assists this season—the most by anyone in the Premier League—was in no mood to add to that tally and was trying shots from impossible angles. It was frustrating to watch as he crafted some wonderful dribbles only to squander the final ball.

Nani finally silenced his doubters in the 76th minute when he cut in from the right and drilled a left-footer past a helpless Foster. It was a brilliant goal to cap a five-star performance from United, who have been accused of not being able to kill off games.

If last week’s match against Tottenham exhibited United’s defensive stringency, this performance sure did tell a thing or two about their attacking abilities. The win stretches United’s unbeaten run to 22 games this season and Sir Alex Ferguson will hope his team has finally upped a gear as they slowly make way through the second half of what has already been a truly captivating season. 

(This article was first published on http://www.isport.in)