Berbatov hits 5 as Man United routs Blackburn 7-1

London: Dimitar Berbatov’s five-goal burst enabled Manchester United to claim the provisional Premier League lead with a 7-1 demolition of Blackburn, while Arsenal’s title charge was reignited with a 4-2 win at Aston Villa.

Berbatov took just two minutes to end a 10-match goal drought yesterday stretching back to September.

“I have scored that many before but it was a long time ago back home in Bulgaria,” Berbatov said. “The first goal was the most important. It gives you the confidence to play. As a striker, people do tend only to look at the goals you score. I am more concerned with how I play but today was all about goals for me.”

But while Nani and Park Ji-sung also found the net against Blackburn, Wayne Rooney couldn’t find his first goal from open play since March for United.