Berbatov hat-trick keeps unbeaten United at the top

Berbatov claims 18th goal, third hat-trick of the season as Manchester U retains first place in Premier League

LONDON: Dimitar Berbatov claimed his 18th goal and third hat-trick of the season as Manchester United retained first place in the Premier League with a 5-0 battering of Birmingham

Berbatov started the rout inside two minutes after Nani won a corner inside the first 60 seconds and Ryan Giggs curled in a superb cross.

John O’Shea steered a strong header towards the far corner where the Bulgarian forward headed into the back of the net.

The Bulgarian, who would go on and add a hat-trick to his three goals against Liverpool and five against Blackburn earlier in the season, claimed a second goal just after the half-hour.

Anderson collected the errant pass, feeding Wayne Rooney who, in turn, sent Berbatov powering into the penalty area, the forward wrong-footing Johnson, who had made a committed recovering run, before driving the ball past former United goal-keeper Ben Foster.

Those goals had decided the outcome of the game but it was United’s third, claimed by Giggs in first-half injury-time that showcased their superiority.

The relentless United pressure seemed likely to yield more goals and, after failing with a number of efforts from distance, Nani collected O’Shea’s 75th-minute pass and finished clinically.

Van Persie’s treble sinks Wigan

Robin van Persie struck a hat-trick as Arsenal completed a routine 3-0 victory over Wigan at the Emirates Stadium to maintain the pressure on leaders Manchester United.

Van Persie’s treble took his return to seven goals in five games – and it could have been more had he not missed a 70th-minute penalty after Wigan skipper Gary Caldwell had brought down Cesc Fabregas.

That earned Caldwell a red card while Van Persie’s effort left him red-faced until he made amends by striking his third five minutes from time.

Torres double lifts Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish left Molineux beaming in delight after Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 for their first victory since he returned as manager a fortnight ago.

Two goals from Fernando Torres and one from Raul Meireles gave Liverpool their first win since they beat Bolton Wanderers on New Year’s Day.

Lenon grabs equaliser

Meanwhile, fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur lost ground on the leaders after drawing 1-1 at Newcastle United where Fabricio Colocinni scored for the home side and Aaron Lennon equalised in stoppage time.

Dempsey double sinks 10-man Stoke

Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey scored twice to clinch a 2-0 win over 10-man Stoke that gave Cottagers boss Mark Hughes the last laugh over rival Tony Pulis.

Dempsey’s double helped Fulham make it three wins from five matches as the west London club climbed away from the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, West Ham United looked as though they had climbed out of the relegation zone, leading 2-1 at Everton going into stoppage time, before Marouane Fellaini equalised for the hosts and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2011.