Bentley Runs Down United in 7-Goal Thriller

Brace
By Chris O'Brien
February 7 2006

Ruud Van Nistelrooy netted a second-half brace for United, but it wasn't enough for the Red Devils as they fell to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers. David Bentley fired home a sensational hat-trick for the hosts in a game that saw Rio Ferdinand dismissed in the closing stages.

A woeful defensive display saw United fall to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Mark Hughes’ Blackburn Rovers in a topsy turvy Premiership clash at Ewood Park.

To rub salt into the wounds, Rio Ferdinand was dismissed in the closing stages and now faces suspension.

David Bentley marked his first start for Rovers since joining on permanent terms with a hat-trick with backline frailties very much evident within Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. It leaves Chelsea 15 points clear at the top of the Premiership table, with any faint hopes of an amazing comeback surely over for the Red Army.

The visitors started stronger but ground out few opportunities. Louis Saha fired inches wide after good work from Rooney, but Blackburn were going closer and Morten Gamst Pedersen, United’s bogey player this season, forced a superb finger-tip save from Edwin Van Der Sar, only for Bentley to walk home the rebound in frustrating fashion.

United’s equaliser, only two minutes later, was almost a carbon copy. Brad Friedel mimicked his Dutch counterpart’s heroics with a superb save from Rooney, yet Saha was on hand to tap home and restore parity on 37 minutes.

He game had sprung into action and Blackburn again were enjoying the advantage with their second only four minutes later. A mix-up saw Rio Ferdinand, playing out-of-position in midfield, nod the ball back towards goal as Van Der Sar came to collect Shefki Kuqi's flick. The lack of communication between the two highly-paid stars allowed Bentley to slam the ball into an empty net from six yards.

United’s heads dropped and the game looked over only minutes later with Blackburn again finding a way past Van Der Sar; this time from the penalty spot. Wesley Brown, who looked very much out-of-sorts, handed a cross and the referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Lucas Neill sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and it was 3-1 to the hosts.

United were trying to find a way back into the game as the second-half got underway, but Blackburn looked fairly comfortable. Rooney and Saha both had chances, but Ferguson was forced to bring on Ruud Van Nistelrooy from the substitutes bench on 54 minutes, with his clinical eye for goal a real absence.

However, there was no immediate impact from the golden boot hopeful. Quite the opposite. Forward Bentley completed his hat-trick and suddenly United looked like being on the wrong end of a thrashing. Travelling supporters were left infuriated with a backline that gave the striker far too much space in the penalty area, coolly firing home after being picked out by ex-Red Robbie Savage. It hurt.

The game looked as good as over, but now led by their main marksman, there was always hope for United. Ruud fired home from yards-out on 63 minutes to reduce the deficit after a cross from Cristiano Ronaldo. A glimmer of hope.

Five minutes later and it was game on. So often the hero for club and country, Van Nistelrooy hit past Friedel and the momentum was back with the pre-match favourites.

Unfortunately, Rovers began to defend stoutly and constantly looked dangerous on the break. United found themselves largely restricted to long shots, whilst Bentley could have been in dream land with a fourth goal had he not been denied by Van Der Sar.

Hopes of a comeback were finally dashed with only two minutes late as Ferdinand saw red. The England international was dismissed after a second bookable offence following a foul on Savage. Heads dropped again and Blackburn finished stronger.

A dissappointing result and it has to be three points against Fulham on the weekend.

Full Time – Blackburn Rovers 4-3 Manchester United
Attendance – 25,484

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray, Reid, Savage (Mokoena 90), Tugay (Emerton 45), Pedersen, Bentley (Johnson 90), Kuqi.
Substitutes Not Used: Enckelman, Peter.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Brown (Silvestre 76), Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Ferdinand, Richardson (van Nistelrooy 54), Rooney, Saha.
Substitutes Not Used: Howard, Park, Pique.