Berbatov: Hat-trick hero

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Man United 5-0 Wigan

Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick as Manchester United strolled to a 5-0 Boxing Day win over ten-man Wigan at Old Trafford.

Both of these sides have been in improved form of late as United have rediscovered their scoring boots, while the Latics have managed to hold Chelsea and Liverpool to draws at home.

From the very first whistle it was the hosts who stormed forward and when Patrice Evra glided into the box and cut the ball back for Park Ji-Sung to sweep home inside five minutes it looked very ominous for the visitors.

The Red Devils were left frustrated as they struggled to beat the excellent Ali Al-Habsi on numerous occasions but the game changed for good when Conor Sammon was dismissed in the 39th minute after a flailing left arm caught Michael Carrick in the face.

It took just two minutes for United to take advantage as Berbatov controlled the ball in the box before firing beyond Al-Habsi.

The hosts continued to press in the second half as they attempted to narrow the goal difference margin to neighbours and league leaders Manchester City.

Berbatov grabbed his second just before the hour mark with an impudent flick from Antonio Valencia’s drilled cross.

The walls were caving in on the Wigan defence and Al-Habsi had to be at his best again to deny Javier Hernandez, substitute Wayne Rooney and Park, before Valencia hit a stinging drive into the far corner with fifteen minutes left.

All that was left to see was by how many goals Sir Alex Ferguson’s side would win by and whether Berbatov would get his hat-trick.

The answer to both came just moment later when Park was felled in the box and the Bulgarian striker stepped up to slot home from the spot.