Premier League - Berbatov strikes as United win

Eurosport - Wed, 28 Oct 15:42:00 2009

Manchester United moved back up to second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford.

2009-10 Premier LEague Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov celebrates goal against Blackburn - 0

Dimitar Berbatov scored a sublime goal 10 minutes into the second half before Wayne Rooney struck late on to secure United a win that gives them 25 points, two behind leaders Chelsea and three ahead of Arsenal.

Berbatov's last goal in a United shirt was an excellent bicycle kick in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland, and he followed that acrobatic effort with one that arguably surpasses that strike.

Patrice Evra played the Bulgarian in with his back to goal, and with one touch teed up the ball before swivelling and firing a volley on the turn past Paul Robinson.

Despite having a relatively quiet game, Rooney doubled United's lead in the closing moments when he steered Anderson's near-post cross into the far corner for his eighth of the season.

Results elsewhere on Saturday mean Rovers stay in 17th, one place above the relegation zone, as their terrible away form continues. They have now lost all four of their away league matches this season, shipping 18 goals along the way.

United began the evening with Jonny Evans and Wes Brown at the heart of their defence, as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were both injured. However, their defence was not unduly tested as Rovers set out to frustrate United and silence the crowd, which they did to good effect for much of the opening period.

Following a rather low key opening half-hour, United finally gave the subdued Old Trafford crowd something to shout about when Berbatov had two chances within a minute.

First the striker received the ball with his back to goal on the penalty spot, but his shot on the turn was blocked by a well-timed tackle from the impressive Gael Givet. Moments later, the club record signing forced Paul Robinson to tip over the bar with a strong header.

Berbatov did have the ball in the back of the net five minutes before half time, only to see it disallowed. The Bulgarian stole in to tap home Wayne Rooney's cross from close range, only to wheel away in celebration and see the linesman's flag up for offside against Rooney.

United boss Alex Ferguson brought on Gabriel Obertan on the hour mark in place of Nani, who once more disappointed as he struggled to deal with the rough treatment dished out to him by Rovers' defenders.

The young Frenchman, who impressed on his debut at Barnsley in the Carling Cup in midweek, failed to mark his Premier League debut with a goal as he fired wide of the target from eight yards out. However, he did have a small part to play in Rooney's goal, as it was he who brought the ball down the left flank before leaving it for Anderson to cross.

Striker Nikola Kalinic replaced lone frontman Franco di Santo for Rovers, and the Croat had the ball in the back of the net in the first of four added minutes at the end of the 90, only to see the linesman's flag incorrectly raised for offside against him.

Michael Owen was another late attacking introduction for United, and his low shot that flashed inches wide of the far post was the last act of a match that United won without ever really impressing and Blackburn lost without ever looking poor.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Comment 69 - 88 of 88

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. John T, hope u wretch die asap, u deserved it @#$%.­ There are no bigger scumbags on earth than people like­ u

    From Jayceon Taylor, on Sun 1 Nov 3:24PM

  2. the best is united they will win the premier league bro

    From shaziabegum21, on Sun 1 Nov 1:49PM

  3. the best is united they will win the premier league

    From shaziabegum21, on Sun 1 Nov 1:47PM

  4. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING­ CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    WATCH ALL MATCHES ON­ INTERNET: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP,­ CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, LIGUE 1,­ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, EUROPA LEAGUE, QUALIFICATION WORLD­ CUP 2010, BRASILERAO, EREDIVISIE AND MUCH MORE

    ALL­ THE HIGH_LIGHTS OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES

    From WWW.PREMIERSHIP.ALTERVISTA.ORG, on Sun 1 Nov 12:13PM

  5. After watching Berbatov yesterday I must say there is­ no other striker who can match him in football.

    Do you­ see Ibra/Villa/Torres/Drogba/Persie as­ acrobatic?

    Berbatov is the king, the rest are merely a­ blip on his radar.

    From Emil, on Sun 1 Nov 10:55AM

  6. great result against a team who parked the bus in front­ of the goal...nice take berb....now...lets all enjoy­ the day laughing at the scousers...GGMU!

    From stuartxland, on Sun 1 Nov 9:55AM

  7. Berbatov goal was top glass and Anderson is becomeing a­ good player now as well, Obertan looked promising­ should be a good season for UTD, if they win the leuge­ after loseing the best player in the world and carlos­ tevez other teams must start to think theres no hope!

    From Tom M, on Sun 1 Nov 9:15AM

  8. well done, berbie for a stunning strike. united as­ usual have not peaked it yet but from the way they are­ keeping pace with chelsea and arsenal who have reached­ their peaks, it's obvious the league trophy will­ remain at old trafford. up united!!!!

    From chrisa, on Sun 1 Nov 9:07AM

  9. HI DON YOU REALY MADE ME FEELS CONFIDENT TODAY.IM­ SEEING ARSENAL AND CHELSEA PLAYING BETTER THAN MAN U.I­ WILL STAND WITH YOU DON.COME ON MAN U.....

    From Maria, on Sun 1 Nov 9:05AM

  10. i like arsenal players all of them can score a goal,but­ i cant support them cause my heart belongs to man­ u.we're not good as the last season but i hope and­ pray man u will make it 4 in a row.COME ON MAN U.....

    From Maria, on Sun 1 Nov 8:55AM

  11. chechenr,don't be too confident..time will tell you­ about it..

    From nory i, on Sun 1 Nov 8:01AM

  12. Man UTD only goal for the season English Premier League­ title and try to get Champions League title. They know­ how to do and they do not want Ronaldo to achieve­ that...

    From Lucky, on Sun 1 Nov 7:49AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    MANU SUCKS MAN NOZZLE

    From chip, on Sun 1 Nov 7:14AM

  14. Terrific goal by berba. I know he's slated a lot­ but I've always been a fan and believed he will­ come good given time since you can never really put­ quality down. he's just pure class and i feel that­ if fergie takes time to shape the team around his style­ of play, we'll reap the rewards. The race is­ hotting up as ever and the worrying thing for all you­ other 19 teams is that Utd haven't even hit second­ gear yet.loserpool are out of the race for sure after­ that abysmall display at the cottage, and as for­ chelski, they've peaked too early in the season and­ it tells me ancelotti doesn't understand the prem­ yet. it ain't like la liga or other leagues where a­ team can run away with the lead from th start to­ finish.they will be severely weakened during the­ african cup and it will peg them down. all in all, I­ say its looking like a good season for Utd, and when he­ adds to the squad in january(which I know he will), our­ 4th title will be waiting for us come May.
    Glory Glory­ Man Utd!

    From Don, on Sun 1 Nov 6:42AM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A FOOUND A WEE VIRUKA AN ME FOT THA OLER DAY. A WAS­ FINKAN AV GOIN TAY THA CHAROPADAST TAY GET AT REMOVED­ WEN A SEENS THAS ADVERT AN THA TELEBAX SAYIN­ 'BAZUKA THON VIRUKA'. SA A GOT AN TAY EBAY OND­ ORDARED A BAZUKA. IT DID THA JAB. ME VIRUKAS GANE BUT­ SO'S ME FACKIN FOT. THA BAZUKA BLOWED IT CLEEEEEN­ OOOOAAAWWF.

    From Donney, on Sun 1 Nov 6:41AM

  16. whilst chelsea our winning and playing well ,,manu our­ not playing wel and still winning this is a sign of a­ good team ,chelsea will play not so well soon and get­ beat ,, its a good title chase this season but manu­ will come out the stronger ,,as normally they have­ less points by now ,,they can only get stronger

    From tasdeon, on Sun 1 Nov 6:19AM

  17. whilst chelsea our winning and playing well ,,manu our­ not playing wel and still winning this is a sign of a­ good team ,chelsea will play not so well soon and get­ beat ,, its a good title chase this season but manu­ will come out the stronger ,,as normally they have­ less points by now ,,they can only get stronger

    From tasdeon, on Sun 1 Nov 6:17AM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    BERBETAPS DID A GUD GOAL. A USUALLY DAYS SCRAPPAY­ GOWLS. DONT A THO?

    From Donney, on Sun 1 Nov 6:05AM

  19. OM GLAD TAY SEE AULD BERBATAV IS FINALLAY COMIN GUD.

    From Donney, on Sun 1 Nov 6:05AM

  20. LIVERPOLS LOSSED DA METCH.

    From Donney, on Sun 1 Nov 6:04AM
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account