Berbatov brilliance saves sloppy United

Dimitar Berbatov's hat-trick gave Manchester United a thrilling 3-2 win against Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The Bulgarian headed the winner six minutes from time, but only after United had contrived to throw away another two-goal lead.

United dominated the first hour and looked supremely comfortable after two Berbatov goals - the first a deft header, the second a magnificent overhead kick.

But some appalling defending allowed Steven Gerrard to score a brace of his own. The Liverpool captain pulled one back from the penalty spot after Jonny Evans clumsily fouled Fernando Torres. And he equalised with a low free-kick that went through a hole in United's wall after John O'Shea tripped Torres at the edge of the box.

United's inability to hold their advantage has already cost them six points. They conceded a late equaliser at Fulham, and last weekend allowed Everton to score twice in stoppage time.

But Berbatov spared his team-mates' blushes, rising high over Jamie Carragher to settle a dramatic contest.

Bulgarian came into the game with four goals in five appearances, and played with the swagger and confidence of a man in top form.

Torres was at fault for the opening goal, concentrating on wrapping his arms around Berbatov as Ryan Giggs's corner came in three minutes before the break.

Berbatov was unable to jump, but did not have to. The ball came to him at chest height and the striker stooped to guide a superb header past Paul Konchesky standing on the near post.

The second, just before the hour mark, was pure inspiration. Berbatov controlled a looping cross with his thigh and, with his back to goal, executed an overhead kick that dipped over Pepe Reina and went in off the underside of the bar. A surefire goal of the season contender.

United were in complete command, but contrived to surrender yet another winning position as yet again their defence's soft underbelly was exposed.

Rio Ferdinand's long-awaited return from a knee injury was put on hold for another week - he missed out on his place in the squad after apparently contracting flu.

The England captain has lost out on the armband at club level to Nemanja Vidic, and the Serbian came into the game having been sent off in three of his last four encounters with Liverpool.

Torres usually gives Vidic a torrid time, but despite continuing to play some way below his best, the Spaniard picked on Vidic's colleagues Evans and O'Shea to win crucial fouls.

He was needlessly upended by Evans on 64 minutes inside the box, allowing Gerrard to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot.

Then six minutes later O'Shea brought Torres down as he raced into the box - Liverpool wanted a red card but Howard Webb settled for yellow. Gerrard inflicted maximum damage with the free-kick, but was helped by Darren Fletcher who broke from the wall, allowing the ball to scoot through low into the right corner of the net.

So soft were the goals, you could hardly call it a comeback - United just handed them to their rivals.

The home side were shell-shocked, and looked devoid of ideas as they attempted to salvage their afternoon.

Nani was predictably unpredictable, and spent most of the second half on the floor. The Portuguese bears extra responsibility following Antonio Valencia's broken ankle, but shows no signs of being able to deliver on a regular basis.

That accusation could be thrown at Berbatov in his first two seasons at Old Trafford, but he emerged yet again to get his team out of jail.

John O'Shea crossed from the right, Berbatov showed strength, power and desire, and headed United to a famous win.


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