Carling Cup - Rampant Tevez cuts down Blackburn

Eurosport - Thu, 04 Dec 10:07:00 2008

A rampant Carlos Tevez scored a hat-trick to propel Manchester United to a 5-3 victory against Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

FOOTBALL Carlos Tevez Manchester United - 0

The Argentine international striker, a peripheral figure at United since the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov in the summer, thought he had scored the opener on 36 minutes - which went down as an Aaron Mokoena own goal - but there was no disputing his three second-half strikes in a scintillating performance.

Nani was also on the scoresheet for Sir Alex Ferguson's team, who overwhelmed Blackburn with a vibrant and composed display that belied the relative inexperience of several players in the line-up.

Two goals from substitute Benni McCarthy and one from Matt Derbyshire put a respectable gloss on the scoreline for the visitors, but in truth Paul Ince's side were comprehensively beaten and never in contention.

Blackburn did enjoy the first genuine chance of the evening, however, when Stephen Warnock's header drew an acrobatic save from United goalkeeper Ben Foster.

But United soon asserted themselves in midfield and with Anderson, Nani and Tevez buzzing productively in the final third it was only a matter of time before they went ahead.

After Darron Gibson won a free-kick on the right, Ryan Giggs swung an inviting ball towards the far post and Tevez's close attendance forced Mokoena to bundle the ball into his own net.

Five minutes later United doubled their lead. This time Tevez turned provider, teeing up Nani to fire a low shot past Robinson from just inside the box.

Blackburn looked a beaten side, but when substitute McCarthy scored almost immediately after his introduction for the second half, getting in behind Gary Neville to fire past Foster in some style, the visitors suddenly had a foothold in the game.

It lasted no more than two minutes. United won a penalty when Andre Oojier pulled down Tevez and the Argentine strolled up to calmly send Robinson the wrong way and put United 3-1 ahead.

Their best was yet to come. Just short of the hour mark, Anderson, Giggs and Tevez combined in a sumptuous three-player move, which culminated in a simple tap-in for the Argentine forward to complete his hat-trick.

United wasted several chances to increase their lead, and with 84 minutes on the clock McCarthy crossed for Derbyshire to poke home what appeared at first little more than a consolation for Blackburn.

But five minutes later Derbyshire returned the favour and McCarthy finished clinically to make it 4-3.

Before Blackburn had time to launch one last desperate attack, however, Tevez ran on to a through ball and blasted emphatically home to seal a deserved win for United and book his team's place in the semi-finals.

Moreover, the United striker sent the boldest of messages to his manager, who can surely not ignore him after this performance.

Will Tidey / Eurosport

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  1. get real utd fans last 2 weeks chelski 1 point,­ bindippers 2 points UTD 4 points S/F of the 3 handle­ cup , WORLD CLUB FINAL cumin up / me thinks good times­ ahead oh and tevez will stay

    From anthony h, on Thu 4 Dec 10:56PM

  2. Tevez scores goals but Berbo is more complete player -­ he can play for the team and give the final pass to the­ goal-his magic inspires man utd. That's what I­ think about who deservs the place in first team!­ ...Well , Fergie could make a more attacking tactic­ with 3 forwards and I think it will be a reasonable­ choise..

    From ceko_tc, on Thu 4 Dec 6:59PM

  3. Värdjapealikud!

    From Mikk K, on Thu 4 Dec 6:50PM

  4. fucknows !!!!!!!a player dnt make a team....ronaldo­ should leave.....he"s so stupid ...glory to new­ generations....da silva,possebon,nani,welbeck....

    From talha_bahadoor, on Thu 4 Dec 6:33PM

  5. TEVEZ IS BRILLIANT AND NO ONE CAN DENIE IT

    From joefleming, on Thu 4 Dec 6:31PM

  6. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING­ CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP
    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: ­ PREMIER LEAGUE, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA AND CHAMPIONS­ LEAGUE - UEFA CUP
    ALL THE HIGH-LIGHTS OF PREMIER­ LEAGUE MATCHES

    From go to www.premiership.altervista.org, on Thu 4 Dec 6:30PM

  7. glory2 united:)

    From AHMADSYAHIR, on Thu 4 Dec 6:18PM

  8. What is it with SAF. Gary Neville is at best­ 'rubbish' Always has been. But for some unknown­ reason he continues to stick with him. Better players­ than him have been and gone so I can only conclude that­ Nev is so far up his arse that SAF actually enjoys­ keeping him on as a lacky. Now Tevez is just a­ different class . Works his socks off is tireless but­ still remains on the periphery with Fletcher (who?) Din­ Sum Park, John O Shea all ahead of him. I see SAF's­ nose is getting that dark red hue all alkies have. No­ surprises there then. But is his consumption of plonk­ affecting his judgement. Can only say yes with the­ players he picks at times irrespective of this game­ being Carling Cup

    From 'Kin El, on Thu 4 Dec 4:00PM

  9. I respect Sir Alex but he's been getting it wrong­ on Tevez. Hes so good. Any player has some spells when­ he does not score. He should have helped Tevez by­ showing him he can do it. Let the likes of Tevez move­ at Uniteds peril

    From George, on Thu 4 Dec 2:42PM

  10. what's going in this country five a side in a­ shower now???????

    From aziz m, on Thu 4 Dec 1:23PM

  11. Really starting to get worried now, unless we can pick­ up some wins before the new year, relegation is a real­ worry for us and with our squad is shouldn't be an­ issue!

    From Andrew, on Thu 4 Dec 12:41PM

  12. Seeing Tevez reminds me of Scarface,c'mon tell me­ who will not be afraid of fellas like this in his­ eighteen yard box.The Beast needs more playing time­ else more doors are wide open in Europe for the bad­ guy.

    From inyangumonko2002, on Thu 4 Dec 10:13AM

  13. carlos tevez is the man.We(man.utd.)are going for four­ trophys this season.FA CUP,CARLING CUP,PREMIERSHIP AND­ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.Up United.

    From thompgold, on Thu 4 Dec 10:10AM

  14. i reckon united will win nothing at all they have no­ backbone and thier young players ie nani,andersonevans­ dont cut the mustard

    From quinnbrosltd, on Thu 4 Dec 9:59AM

  15. as an arsenal fan i always admire the seriousness which­ fergie approaches all games. look at the names which­ were in the line up against blackburn and contrast that­ to what wenger put against burnley. wenger is a real­ risk arsenal is taking

    From Sylvester, on Thu 4 Dec 9:54AM

  16. forget about liverpool, chelski and arsenal. all United­ have to concentrate on now is their own game. by­ worrying about others too much wont push us forward, it­ will just hold us down. up the tempo by ourselves and­ give them a real shocker by end of season. much like­ the silent killer rule !

    From Aliaa, on Thu 4 Dec 9:41AM

  17. Urr No. 54 - Liverpool not in Carling Cup anymore­ either its Man U, Spurs, Derby & Burnley - wake up­ chuck!!!

    From emma_roid80, on Thu 4 Dec 9:38AM

  18. nr 63 r u stupid or r u brainless, watch and enjoy­ total Football and stop being a c..t

    From DELPHINE R, on Thu 4 Dec 9:26AM

  19. PAUL INCE MUST GO HE'S KILLING OUR TEAM

    From elliott.billscutter, on Thu 4 Dec 9:14AM

  20. this is utds only chance to win someting this year haha­ the worthless cup

    From John F, on Thu 4 Dec 8:53AM
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