United’s title hopes dented as Kuyt does the trick

LONDON:

Dirk Kuyt hit a hat-trick as Liverpool dented Manchester United’s title hopes with a 3-1 victory over their bitter rivals at Anfield.

Kuyt struck twice in quick succession in the first half and the Dutch forward completed his treble after the break to hand United their second defeat in the space of a week after the leaders’ 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Tuesday.

Javier Hernandez reduced the deficit in stoppage time but United, who had only lost one league match this season before the start of this week, are now just three points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, having played a game more than the Gunners.

Kuyt’s hat-trick was the first for a Liverpool player against United since Peter Beardsley’s treble in a 4-0 win back in September 1990 when Kenny Dalglish was first in charge of the Reds, but it was a sublime display from Luis Suarez that inspired the hosts.

“It’s perfect,” said Kuyt. “You dream about the hat-trick and to do it against United is the best feeling ever.

“I’m more than happy but I have to thank Luis because he played great and created two of the goals.”

United were without first-choice centre-backs Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand and it showed as Liverpool drew first blood in the 34th minute thanks to a superb piece of skill from Suarez. The former Ajax forward’s surging run took him past three United defenders before he poked the ball through Edwin Van der Sar’s legs for Kuyt to tap-in from barely a yard out.

Dalglish’s side increased their lead four minutes later when a misdirected header from Nani confused his defence and allowed Kuyt to head home from close range. Kuyt sealed Liverpool’s first win over United in four attempts with a simple finish after a fumble by Van der Sar from Suarez’s free-kick in the 65th minute.

Al Habsi howler gifts  points to City

Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini blamed tiredness for his side’s abject showing in their 1-0 win against Wigan Athletic at Eastlands.

City struggled throughout this contest as Wigan played the more expansive and attractive football.  The win reduces the gap between City and second-placed Arsenal to four points but City manager Mancini has work to do after watching his side only win a game against relegation-haunted Wigan thanks to a huge stroke of luck.

A tame shot from David Silva after 38 minutes slipped through the grasp of Wigan goal-keeper Ali Al Habsi who let the ball squirm from his grasp.

City have already played 45 games this season, just three short of how many they played in the entirety of last season alone and Mancini believes that is the reason for his side’s disappointing efforts. “In the second-half, we were very tired and that was the difference.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2011.