Man United joint top

[Dunny]

Manchester United 5 Wigan 0: Berbatov treble turns heat up on title rivals City



By Sportsmail Reporter

Last updated at 5:54 PM on 26th December 2011

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Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick as Manchester United muscled their way level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
City still hold the advantage on goal difference, but even that lead was cut to five by United's second successive five-goal triumph.

It was tough luck on Wigan, whose chance disappeared once Conor Sammon was sent off for catching Michael Carrick with his elbow just before the break.


Welcome back: Michael Carrick congratulates Dimitar Berbatov on his first goal



Firing home: Berbatov grabs his first goal at Old Trafford



Remember me? Berbatov takes the plaudits against Wigan



Match facts


Man Utd: Lindegaard, Valencia, Evans (Fryers 46), Carrick, Evra, Park, Gibson, Giggs (Rooney 64), Nani (Macheda 64), Berbatov, Hernandez.
Subs Not Used: De Gea, Welbeck, Rafael Da Silva, Diouf.
Booked: Evans,Giggs.
Goals: Park 8,Berbatov 41,58,Valencia 75,Berbatov 78 pen.
Wigan: Al Habsi, Stam, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Jones, Diame (Di Santo 46), McCarthy, Gomez (McArthur 71),
Moses (Rodallega 80), Sammon.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt,Gohouri,Crusat,Watson.
Sent Off: Sammon (39).
Booked: Jones.
Att: 75,183
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).


Already leading through Ji-sung Park's early goal, United took maximum advantage. Berbatov doubled their lead before half-time, then scored twice more, bringing back memories of his form in the first half of last season, when he claimed three match balls.

On this occasion, he owed the honour to Wayne Rooney, who stepped aside to let him take the penalty after Park had been fouled by Antolin Alcaraz.

The excellent Antonio Valencia was also on target to ensure Sir Alex Ferguson will be handed the perfect 70th birthday present of a place on top of the table should his side overcome Blackburn on New Year's Eve, given City are not in action until 24 hours later.

If there was one game where Ferguson might not have been too alarmed to field a defence including Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia, this was it.

Festive cheer: Wigan fans dressed up for the Boxing Day showdown



Wigan had not managed so much as a draw in 13 previous meetings between the sides and the combined score from their past four encounters was 16-0.
United soon added to their tally as Patrice Evra slalomed his way into the Wigan box, then picked out Ji-sung Park with a neat cut-back.

The South Korean had enough space to pick his spot, into the top right corner, well out of Ali Al Habsi's reach.

United continued to create chances at regular intervals, with Nani, Berbatov and Darron Gibson all trying their luck.

However, Wigan were not content to play the meek visitors and with Victor Moses building on recent impressive performances and Ronnie Stam exploiting the hosts' lack of an orthodox left-sided midfield player, created just as many chances as their hosts early on.

Opener: Ji-sung Park slots home to open the floodgates for the champions



Take that: Park wheels away after putting United ahead in the match



Sammon wasted the best, turning on to David Jones' pass but drilling a shot straight at Anders Lindegaard. The Irishman's day quickly got much worse, and any chance Wigan had disappeared.

There is no doubt Sammon's arm did end up in Carrick's face, offering referee Phil Dowd the opportunity to send him off. However, it did appear the Wigan man was attempting to use it as a barrier to shield a bouncing ball from his opponent.
There was no malice, and very little force, behind the action and Latics chief Roberto Martinez was not on his own in believing his side had been harshly treated. And, as good sides do, United quickly exploited the situation.

Had injury not struck him down in August, Gibson might well have moved on in the summer. As it was, Ferguson was probably glad to have him available for this one.
Off you go: Conor Sammon looks at the United players after being dismissed


Make that four: Antonio Valencia lashes home to add to the total

The Irishman delivered a teasing cross from the right flank, which ended up with Berbatov. Making only his second Premier League start of the season, United's record signing took some time to get the ball under control.
However, he had the strength to hold off Antolin Alcaraz and drilled his shot past Al Habsi. The departure of Evans at half-time led to Evra becoming possibly becoming United's shortest ever central defender.
He was limping too not long afterwards, although that proved to be a false alarm. There did not seem much wrong with the Frenchman when he went straight through the back of Moses anyway.

Jones curled the free-kick narrowly wide, which turned out to be Wigan's last opportunity before United struck again. Valencia was having a quietly effective game and his prodded pass left Berbatov with enough space and time to smash his shot beyond Al Habsi.
Having fallen so far behind Manchester City in the goal difference stakes, United sensed it was time to start making up some ground. Valencia's excellent performance continued when he drilled his first Premier League goal of the season into the bottom left corner.
Then, after Park was chopped down in the box by Alcaraz, substitute Rooney let Berbatov finish off his hat-trick.

Spot on: Berbatov slides home his penalty to complete his hat-trick






Delight: Berbatov grabs the match ball for his hat-trick, while Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates with Nani




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[Dunny]

West Bromwich Albion 0 Manchester City 0: Baggies blow the title race wide open after holding City


By Sportsmail Reporter

Last updated at 5:21 PM on 26th December 2011

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Manchester City saw their two-point advantage at the top of the Barclays Premier League wiped out as they were frustrated at West Brom.
Mario Balotelli hit the bar and had a goal disallowed but City lacked their usual bite at The Hawthorns and were forced to settle for a goalless draw.
It could even have been worse for Roberto Mancini's men as Albion rose to the challenge and were unlucky when Jerome Thomas hit the post and Shane Long headed wide.

Frustrated: Manchester City and Mario Balotelli had a difficult afternoon at The Hawthorns


MATCH FACTS:


West Brom: West Brom: Foster, Jones, Olsson, McAuley, Shorey, Brunt, Scharner, Mulumbu (Dorrans 80), Thomas, Long, Odemwingie (Jara Reyes 88).
Subs Not Used: Fulop, Dawson, Thorne, Cox, Fortune.
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Clichy, Toure Yaya, Milner (Dzeko 82), Nasri (Barry 59), Silva, Aguero (Johnson 74), Balotelli.
Subs Not Used: Pantilimon, Lescott, Savic, De Jong.
Booked: Toure Yaya.

Attendance: 25,938
Referee: Lee Mason


Mancini had tried to freshen up his City side by making four changes, including recalling the mercurial Balotelli on a ground where he scored twice and got sent off last season.
Kolo Toure, Pablo Zabaleta and James Milner also came in but West Brom were not intimidated and continually frustrated their star-studded visitors.
Roy Hodgson's side were clearly buoyed by their thrilling win at Newcastle last time out and went close inside the opening three minutes.
Thomas brought the ball forward and Chris Brunt turned outside the area to fire across goal with a powerful left-foot drive.
City tried to assert their authority after that scare but had to wait patiently for chances to open up.
Samir Nasri had a volley blocked by Jonas Olsson - although the attempt was possibly going wide -
and the Frenchman also shot tamely at Ben Foster from distance.
No Silva lining: Manchester City midfielder David Sillva could not find a way past Jerome Thomas' West Brom

West Brom continued to pose a threat and Paul Scharner tried his luck with a low shot from 25 yards which, after a slight deflection, was turned behind by Joe Hart.
City should have taken the lead after 24 minutes when Sergio Aguero laid off for David Silva from a fine cross-field Nasri pass but the Spaniard side-footed over.
Balotelli got involved in the game when he won a free-kick outside the area and, much to his frustration, then stepped up to have a low shot deflected narrowly wide.
Old and new: West Brom manager Roy Hodgson earned an important point against Roberto Mancini's West Brom

City then had two corners in quick succession and could have scored from the second of them when Yaya Toure put a free header wide.
City tried to pick up the tempo and Balotelli was unlucky when a Silva shot was deflected into his path and he volleyed in, only to see an offside flag raised.
West Brom threatened again on the counter-attack when Brunt found space on the left to curl in a dangerous cross for Long but Vincent Kompany slid in to make a vital interception.
Balotelli went down with a head injury after a clash with Peter Odemwingie just before the break but the Italian recovered and was soon back in the action.
Not going their way: Balotelli and West Brom's Paul Scharner had words during the game

Balotelli drew a foul from Olsson in a dangerous position early in the second half.
City made little from the free-kick but had a good spell of possession and Balotelli struck the top of the bar with a superb effort from 30 yards wide on the left.
West Brom may have been starved of the ball at times but looked comfortable when they had it and Kompany again got his body in the way as Odemwingie shot from 35 yards.
Long spurned a glorious chance just before the hour when City failed to clear and the ball was drilled to the back post but the Baggies striker headed wide from six yards.
City tried to show some urgency in response but Silva was unable to capitalise on some neat interplay and shot straight at Foster.
Game plan: Manchester City were unable to break down West Brom

Aguero, perhaps surprised to be given onside from a Milner header, then miskicked attempting to toe-poke past Foster and Gareth McAuley cleared.
Albion had another chance from a free-kick but Brunt fired wide.
City appeared to be getting frustrated as Kolo Toure shot over and substitute Gareth Barry screwed another effort well wide.
West Brom were again unfortunate when Odemwingie teed up Thomas just outside the area and the midfielder struck a sweet shot against the foot of the post.
City changed their attack by sending on Adam Johnson and Edin Dzeko and were denied with five minutes remaining when Olsson blocked from Silva.
Dzeko found space in injury time but shot well over the bar and West Brom claimed a deserved point.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1hfT13d3Q

[HL]

Would not be surprised if last place blackburn eek out a draw at old trafford nex week. I would-a lafff till a pop-pup!!

[Sickko]

Man United also appears to be dealing with the Christmas break and they easier schedule better than the other top teams..we have Blackburn on Saturday morning and even if we win 1-0, i am sure Sir Alex will rest some top players while picking up max points and that is all you can ask for..

[HL]

Today's game miss Richards.

Apart from that, it was a good game.

We gained points...not lose.

STILL LEADING THE EPL. Any questions?

Don't pay dem no mine TopBrick!

[Dunny]

If i was not have a bet i would put my money on Man U to win the league because they always do better after Christmas.

[Sickko]

The only trophy he will get in December are those given out by Santa Clause

[Bricktop]

Who is leading the EPL? Who is in fifth place? Thanks for participating in this version of the 2011/2012 EPL...you are the weakest link...

[Dunny]

What heat...Man City is leading the EPL...all others are playing catch up...unnuh badmind ehh? Gwaan beat up yuh GUMMERS

Unuh better go spend another 500 million in January to see if unuh can buy this. The goal difference disappearing fast!!

[Bricktop]

What heat...Man City is leading the EPL...all others are playing catch up...unnuh badmind ehh? Gwaan beat up yuh GUMMERS

[Dunny]

Now lets see if Bricktop boys can handle the heat, he thought trophies were handed out in December!!!

[Sir X]

Sad times indeed.

[Sickko]

of Points after 5-0 win and Man City been held 0-0...hmmmm

Even with make shift team, Man United hardly came out of cruise control as Berba got hat trick, four in two games