Hat-Trick Hero

By Chris O'Brien
January 12 2008

In August 1999, Steve Clarke was the caretaker boss of Newcastle as they lost 5-1 at Old Trafford. This time it was Nigel Pearson who had that unfortunate job and United did even better with a whopping 6-0 victory that heaped further humiliation on the managerless Geordies. Cristiano Ronaldo fired home a superb hat-trick as the Red Devils scored all six goals after the half-time break.

Fabio Capello watched on from the stands as United got off to an impressive start. Wayne Rooney should have done better as he fired an early chance over the bar as the Red Devils put together some impressive early moves. Sir Alex's men soon started to dominate and Shay Given twice denied Rooney as United looked to break the deadlock.

However, to their credit, Newcastle soon settled and created a few opportunities of their own. John O'Shea cleared a Claudio Cacapa header off the line and Michael Owen had a goal harshly ruled out for offside.

The hosts had played the better football throughout the opening period but the Barcodes occasionally threatened on the break and their supporters had reasons to be optimistic as the two sides went in goalless at the break. However, any hopes of a surprise away win were shattered four minutes after the interval as Ronaldo opened the scoring and United went onto produce a scintillating second-half display of attacking wizardry.

The Portuguese international slammed a free-kick under the Newcastle wall; helped home by Given's flapping outstretched hand. The goal was his 20th of the season and there was plenty more to come from the on-form youngster as United stormed to victory that saw them overtake Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

The lead was doubled eight minutes later as a shaky Given hit a poor clearance straight at Cacapa. The ball fell to Giggs who squared to the unmarked Tevez and he poked home from close range. United were starting to reveal the extent of Newcastle's defensive frailties and they made it three on 70 minutes.

The winger completed a fine passing move from the Champions thanks to impressive build-up play from Michael Carrick, Tevez and Rooney. Charles N'Zogbia had forced Edwin Van Der Sar into an awesome save moments earlier but Ronaldo's second goal secured the win for Fergie's rampant side.

Danny Simpson, Rooney and Carrick all went close before Rio Ferdinand netted a rare goal to make it four on 85 minutes. The defender latched onto a delicate Rooney chip with a rasping volley before Ronaldo claimed his first MUFC hat-trick with a deflected effort.

Tevez made it six in injury-time with a controversial goal that smacked the crossbar before creeping over Given's goal line. It polished off one of the best 45 minutes in the club's long and illustrious history and condemned the Magpies to yet another embarrassing defeat. They sit 11th and are already 25 points behind the Red Devils who leap-frog their North London rivals at the top of the table.

Full Time - Manchester United 6-0 Newcastle United
Attendance - 75,965

United smash sorry Barcodes for SIX!

Discussion started by manutdweb.com , 12/01/2008 19:57

manutdweb.com
12/01/2008 19:57

United smash sorry Barcodes for SIX!

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PKGooner
12/01/2008 20:00

Top class.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:01:12:20:46:28 by pk_gunner.

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Rogero
12/01/2008 20:23

Superb Second Half.

MAJESTIC !!!

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negotiator
12/01/2008 21:28

thank you PK

we were top class as you say

but i'm pretty dissappointed it should of been 12-0

and the 3 cleared of the line so it should of been 15-0

shay given bravo u were the man of the match

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ManUnited4Life
12/01/2008 23:52

Amazing second half.

I've been here for four years posting and every season someone from the Newcastle board come on here and reminded us about there 5-0 win over us. I guess that wont be happening again, its sad really it proved what a sad bunch they are.

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red is the colour
13/01/2008 06:50

Class performance. 6 second half goals and it so easily could have been 6 from the first half.
Ronaldo's first hat-trick and 22 for the season.He needs 1 more to equal last seasons haul, having 10 more than last season at this same stage is unbelievable, and from a wide player. Rooney could have been sitting on a hat-trick from the first half, and what a finish from rio.
Keep playing like that and we will all be very happy come May.

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Rogero
13/01/2008 08:59

The Newcastle fans have long memories...

They have to, the last time they won anything The Beatles were still making records and we had shillings and pennies! 1969 !!!!

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emptyred
13/01/2008 11:07

Only you are old enough to remember that Rogero.
A top class performance from the team. The ovement and passing was exceptional. And if Rooney had not had an off day it clearly could have been double figures and we had two decent penalty shouts turned down.
However i do feel Rob Styles was a total Muppett in sending Alan Smith off - use common sense; he is a proud player who was on the end of a right royal stuffing, the game was over, surely just pulling him to one side and speaking to him man to man would have been so much more effective.

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mikebuk6899
13/01/2008 14:03

Apparantly, Mike Ashley was in the Gateshead Metro Centre this morning when he saw this little old lady with 4 bags of shopping struggling along.

He goes up to her and asks, 'Hey pet, you alright, can you manage ?'

The old lady replies. 'No pet, I don't want the job.'

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Rogero
13/01/2008 14:43

Nice one - and thanks also to my internet friend emptyred! One day you'll be as old as me!!!

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Mick_MUFC
13/01/2008 20:34

Told you it would be easy

Excellent 2nd half with some top quality goals. Rio's finish was sublime and what can you say about Ronni's second, it was superb one touch play. I didnt expect anything less to be honest but at the end of the day it is still only 3 points. Back to the summit and hopefully there to stay now.

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Irish Red
14/01/2008 13:54

Could have beat out Premiership record and surpassed the Ipswich 9!

Superb. I must admit i had a laugh at 5 nil and text a Newcastle obsessed mate of mine '5 nil against United, isnt that the score you are always going on and on about'

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Rogero
14/01/2008 19:15

Indeed it is the sad magpies... !

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Irish Red
15/01/2008 08:24

P.S. Chris, nice work with the article but could you not have found a happier picture of Ronaldo??

The caption says 'hat trick hero' yet he looks set to top himself!!

We have only been beat 3 times yet you find a pic from one of those games!

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