Manchester United scored five goals for the second time in the space of a week as they trounced 10-man Wigan at Old Trafford with Dimitar Berbatov plundering a Boxing Day hat trick.
The Red Devil’s lashed five past Fulham without reply last Wednesday and repeated the scoreline against Roberto Martinez’s side who had Connor Sammon sent off in the first half. It was a massive hit to their hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone following a run of one defeat in their last six games. At the other end of the table United moved level on points with rivals City at the top with goal difference keeping Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in second place. However, the fact they have cut their noisy neighbours’ lead down to nothing in the last two months will certainly give them the imputes to regain top spot going into the New Year.
Seven wins from their last eight had propelled United right back into the title race and they took barely 10 minutes to break the deadlock against struggling Wigan. Despite fielding Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia in defence the hosts sauntered to victory with Park Ji Sung who guided Patrice Evra’s cross past Ali Al Habsi after the Frenchman beat two defenders on the left. After being pegged back for the first 15 minutes the visitors finally had the chance to attack although Sammon should have done better with the striker completely missing Ronnie Stams cross on a rare forage forward. It proved to be fleeting as United went straight back on the offensive with Ryan Giggs and Berbatov trying their luck from range. The pendulum then swung further in the home sides direction as Sammon was sent off after catching Carrick in the face with an elbow. With a man advantage and extra space to operate in United doubled their lead through Berbatov who held off the challenge of Antonio Alcaraz to lash the ball home four minutes before half time.
It was a similar story after the break with the Bulgarian doubling his tally just before the hour mark collecting Valencia’s pass before lashing the ball past Al Habsi. That goal came after Park headed straight at the Oman keeper before Javier Hernandez had a penalty shout turned down. United certainly had more goals in them and Valencia made it four with 15 minutes remaining with the Ecuadorian seeing his stinging drive whistle past Al Habsi. The scoring wasn’t done there and Berbatov was to have the last laugh as he completed his hat trick three minutes later from the penalty spot. Wigan were enraged after Phil Dowd’s decision to award a spot kick despite Alcaraz’s challenge on Park occurring outside the area. Berbatov gleefully accepted the chance to complete his treble and make it four goals in two games.
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