Monday 26/12/2011
Premier League
Manchester United thrash Wigan to make it five wins on the trot.
It was all change in the starting eleven, as Sir Alex shuffled his pack during the congested run in of festive fixtures. Starts were handed to out of favour Dimitar Berbatov and returning from injury Chicharito. They replaced Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney who both started and scored in the 5 - 0 victory over Fulham.
United also had to field a makeshift defence with Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia deployed at centre and right back respectively. Darron Gibson was handed a rare start in the centre of midfield along side veteran Ryan Giggs.
United got off to an explosive start, taking the lead after just eight minutes when Park Ji-Sung slotted home accurately from a Patrice Evra cross. Wigan responded well to the goal and began pushing United back into their own half with Conor Sammon causing the hosts a lot of problems.
However a contentious refereeing decision was about to sway the game in United's favour as the impressive Sammon saw red for catching Michael Carrick in the face with his arm. Referee Phil Dowd pulled the red card from his pocket as both sets of players seemed stunned by the decision. Despite being a goal and a man down Wigan continued to show heart, not allowing United to take control of the game. In the 41st minute United finally managed to extend their lead as Dimitar Berbatov managed to gain control of Darron Gibson's cross, poking home from four yards.
United went into half time in complete control thanks not only to two sharp strikes, but Conor Sammon's red card. The second half began, and it soon became apparent that Wigan were now resigned to a damage limitation effort, Park almost grabbed his second instantly but he fired his header straight at Ali Al Habsi. Wigan held the reds off for thirteen second half minutes before extending their lead again as Berbatov grabbed his second of the game. The Bulgarian controlled well in the area firing a sharp effort into the roof the net to but the game beyond any doubt.
All Wigan's hard work was to no avail when in the 75th minute Antonio Valencia controlled the ball on the edge of the area a fired an unstoppable strike across the face on goal to make it four. And to rub salt into the wounds three minutes later United were awarded a penalty when Park Ji-Sung was felled on the edge of the area. Berbatov stepped up, completing his hat-trick with a simple finish as he sent Al Habsi the wrong way.
United sent a strong message to the opposition winning their second game on the bounce 5-0 and moving level on points with the leader Manchester City.
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