Berbatov treble breaks Liverpool resistance
Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick as Manchester United overcame a Liverpool fightback to win 3-2 in a classic Premier League battle at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Berbatov rose high to nod home an 84th-minute header to seal maximum points for United, who had seen Liverpool recover from two goals down thanks to a second-half brace from skipper Steven Gerrard.
The win saw Sir Alex Ferguson's side go level on points with second-placed Arsenal, and one point behind leaders Chelsea, who play Blackpool later today.
All the pre-match attention had been on the return of Wayne Rooney but it was in-form Bulgarian striker Berbatov who stole the show with a virtuoso display that left Liverpool shattered.
Berbatov put United 1-0 ahead on on 42 minutes after being left in acres of space by marker Fernando Torres when Ryan Giggs swung in a corner.
The Bulgarian then doubled United's lead on 59 minutes with a sublime effort, using one touch to control a Nani cross before sending an overhead kick crashing in off the underside of the Liverpool bar.
But for the second league match running, United's defensive frailties were exposed once more as Ferguson's men saw a two-goal lead evaporate.
Centre-half Jonny Evans blatantly brought down Torres in the box to allow Gerrard to convert a spot-kick on 64 minutes.
Then, six minutes later, United's defence were at fault again for Liverpool's equaliser.
Referee Howard Webb booked John O'Shea for a tackle on Torres that left Gerrard with a free-kick from the edge of the area.
Gerrard's shot was accurate and hit with power but went straight through a hole in the United wall left by Darren Fletcher, to the disgust of United's beaten keeper Edwin van der Sar.
It was the second time in the space of a week that United had let slip a two-goal lead, having been held to a 3-3 at Everton last weekend.
Buoyed by the goals, Liverpool looked capable of taking all three points, but Berbatov's late header ended their fightback and left Roy Hodgson's team with only one win from five games.
Manchester City visit third-bottom Wigan Athletic in today's other game.
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Tony Attard
Sep 19th 2010, 18:46
United deserved thier victory, they were better. But Liverpool are still the Most succesful club in England. 18 Champions of England and 5 European Champions Cup/Leuge !
Michael Bajada
Sep 19th 2010, 20:53
Ha ha. You're like today's Romans boasting how great they were when they had an empire; or like the Greeks who still boast about their greatness in pre-history. Grow up man - this is 2010! Liverpool are going downhill and will be candidates for relegation this season.
B. Pollacco
Sep 19th 2010, 22:40
Liverpool AND Manchester United are the best teams in england as both have 18 title's each. The Best team in England are divided by trophies which are recognized by the English FA(ie FA CUP, CARLING CUP,CHARITY SHIELD & PREMIER LEAGUE) if you want to include the EUROPEAN CUP you should have said best club in Europe
Tony Attard
Sep 20th 2010, 08:29
Mr Bajjada, I agree that no one should boast on the history. However you must be very young to state that , it was pre history. On the other hand you must have a good view of the future to dream of your wish of Liverpool playing Championship football.The act is that the best team in Europe in terms of Champions Leuge triumphs is Real Madrid, followed by Milan. Liverpool are still the most succesful team in England and thats a fact. But I do not want to boast of Liverpool`s history. Well done United , they were better and fully deserved thier win. Better luck to Liverpool.
Andrew Cumbo
Sep 19th 2010, 17:20
Man-Utd 3 Lfc 0
AND THE REDS GO MARCHING ON!!! And this time against all odds (Howard Webb).
Andrew Cumbo
Sep 19th 2010, 17:42
And 3-0 is not a mistake as both penalty and free kick where inexistent.
Michael Vella
Sep 19th 2010, 19:00
Did you actually watch the game? If you did, you got a serious problem with being objective. Re second goal, not only was it a foul, but it was a clear sending off. As for the penalty, Evans went right through Torres. If that was not a penalty then what is in your book?
Louis Dimech
Sep 19th 2010, 16:52
The 3-2 scoreline does not do justice to the overwhelming superiority of Man United over once-great Liverpool. Liverpool proved once again that they are a work-in-progress, a project that started some 5 years ago and never seems to end. As for United, they blow hot and cold, but when they are in form, they're unstoppable.
Kevin Sammut
Sep 19th 2010, 17:14
I agree with Louis that utd were better , berbatov scored a great hat trick., the second was world class. Liverpool were poor in the first half, but played better in the second. But I also thought that O'SHEA should have been sent off, Mr Webb got that wrong again, it seems he always gets it wrong in Old Trafford and in favour of the home team. But to be fair and to echoe what Louis said Utd were better and deserved to win it this time.