Berbatov honoured to join five-star club

Manchester United 7, Blackburn 1
DIMITAR Berbatov could not hide his delight at joining an exclusive five-goal scorers’ club in Manchester United’s 7-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

The Bulgarian emulated Alan Shearer, Andy Cole and Jermaine Defoe when he ran riot at Old Trafford.

"I can't believe I scored five," he said.

"I have done it before back home but it was a long time ago. To do it in the Premier League and stand next to Shearer and Cole is a great honour."

The passage of play was the stand–out moment from a supreme United display.

Two fine Paul Robinson saves denied Berbatov what would have been a record sixth, and an even better opportunity for Gabriel Obertan on a day when Sir Alex Ferguson's men threw off the shackles and dismissed the doubters who claim the current crop cannot stand judgement with great United teams of the best.

Berbatov twice exchanged passes with Patrice Evra close to his own area, then set Nani flying down the opposite wing with his own exquisite pass, before arriving in the Blackburn box at just the right moment to thrash the ball past Robinson.

Amid the euphoria at the 29–year–old's personal milestone, it was not overlooked that the previous occasion represented the last time Berbatov had started a Premier League game alongside Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

To his credit, if Rooney was frustrated at hardly getting a sight of goal on such a day, he did not show it.

Rooney claimed the assist for Berbatov's opener, then sent Park Ji–sung through with his defence–splitting pass for United's second.

Pascal Chimbonda gifted the hosts their third when he sent a back pass straight to Berbatov.

And once he and Nani had struck within four minutes of the restart, there was no way back for hapless Rovers, who took little solace from Christopher Samba's consolation.