Bentley’s Debut Hat Trick

David Bentley scored a hat-trick in a remarkable 4-3 victory of Manchester United last night at Ewood Park. It was the first time Blackburn had done the league double over their rivals in 75 years.

It was also the first time Bentley had scored for Rovers in the league this season. Perhaps he was just waiting for the right moment and if so having just signed a permanent contract with Rovers, this game with Manchester was it. Bentley was looking to impress and Rovers were out for revenge.

Having lost to Manchester United in the league cup over two legs these sides had played each other three times in as many weeks so they new each other well. As a result many people expected a boring game and for the first half hour it looked as though that was they way it would be. Until Rovers were given their first good opportunity. Shefki Kuqi was fouled by Wes Brown 30 yards from goal. Up stepped Morten Gamst Pederson who had a good record of scoring against the Old Trafford club. He curled a ball into the top left-hand comer but Edwin Van Der Sar tipped the ball onto the post. Bentley however was quickest to react and from the right edge of the six yard box he hit a half volley past the keeper and Brown on the line.

Manchester?s equaliser was very similar to Bentley opener however it did appear that Luis Saha was in an offside position. It came from a Darren Fletcher corner which was only cleared as far as Rooney on the edge of the box. He took one controlling touch and hit a powerful right foot shot which Friedel parried. It fell to Saha who hit the ball back across goal and into the bottom right but he was one of three united players in an offside position when Rooney shot. So it was fortunate for them that the goal was allowed.

However, that was end of their luck as in the next half hour of football the simply hit the self destruct button. First it was Rio Ferdinand who under no pressure tried an ambitious header back to his keeper from the edge of the six yard box, only to realise he wasn?t there. Van der Sar had come to claim the ball from a Sheki Kuqi flick on as a result the ball dropped to the eager Bentley who tapped the ball home from two yards out.

Ferguson must have been fuming and Brown made things worse by giving away a needless penalty just before half time. Lucas Niell played a long ball down the right flank to Steven Reid. His miss-hit cross wasn?t going to cause any danger but Brown outstretched his left arm behind his back to the stop the ball. The referee Phil Dowd didn?t see it but the linesman on that side saw the obstruction and the intent and the penalty was awarded. Neil steeped up to take it and slotted the ball into the bottom right.

Bentley then rounded of a perfect performance by grabbing a hat-trick 14 minutes into the second half. Whereas his first two goals were predatory the third showed another reason why Rovers have put there faith in his talents. Savage played him on the left as he ran from deep. Bentley then let the ball run onto his right foot before striking and unstoppable shot into the inside netting of the bottom right hand corner.

Embarrassed and in need of a comeback United brought on Ruud van Nistelrooy who did manage to pull two goals back but when Rio Ferdinand was sent-off for a second bookable offence their hopes of a comeback went down the tunnel with him.