I love this man more than a gay man loves his husband.
Dimitar Berbatov | 2010/11 Performances
- Thread starter Commadus
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Would have been goal of the season if he had managed to get that on target and past the keeper. Amazing skill though
The overhead against the dippers would still be it for me.
Another brilliant performance. And finally, he starts to score the important goals, gives us that little bit of brilliance when we need it the most! Wish he would have been playing like that since day one
He was fecking class 2nd half tonight.
Berbatov, Giggs and Hernandez were so good in the 2nd half.
Oh, and that piece of control was one of the best takes I've EVER seen. The whole crowd behind the goal seemed stunned. It was utterly incredible.
He's doing really well this season. I was disappointed with him in the Spurs game, but his contribution has been immense.
Berbatov, Giggs and Hernandez were so good in the 2nd half.
Oh, and that piece of control was one of the best takes I've EVER seen. The whole crowd behind the goal seemed stunned. It was utterly incredible.
He's doing really well this season. I was disappointed with him in the Spurs game, but his contribution has been immense.
Read a post on RAWK earlier. Poster was saying how unfair it was that United always seemed to have someone who is playing out of their skin.
It was Ronaldo for two years, then the "fat lad" last year and now Berba.
When RAWK manage to actually admit it then you realise just how good he has been for us this season.
It was Ronaldo for two years, then the "fat lad" last year and now Berba.
When RAWK manage to actually admit it then you realise just how good he has been for us this season.
Player of the season for me at this point.
It's part of team chemistry, isn't it. When someone starts performing well, the rest of the team has no problem feeding them and keeping them on that high.
It is absolutely unfair. But it's not the kind of unfairness that comes from some sort of blind luck; it's one of the results of carefully assembling your team out of players whose desire to win is greater than their desire to play well individually.
Just look at the defender's reaction to that touch.. goes to press but then sees the touch and backs off.
Sublime from our Bulgarian.
Sublime from our Bulgarian.
I'd say goal of the season considering the magnitude of the game, the control with his knee first then hitting it against the bar on its way in.
Always for me, he's quietly getting along with it all. Hope he can reach 30.
Definitely. He's talking the talk, too.
He has a ridiculously good first touch. To take that ball down like that....amazing.
And even then, it's not the end of our squad though. God forbidden, if something happens to Berbatov and Rooney, I'll bet my arse on Nani stepping up and taking the mantle, the way Ronaldo/Rooney did. God I love our team!!
The speed that Scholes passed it as well; and to control it at that height on your foot, magical.
I completely flipped when he killee that ball mid-air... I presumed a sick Berbavolley was forthcoming and was shouting a lot more than the finish itself warranted but, yeah... feck me, what a touch.
And what a season. No matter how his goals are grouped, you can't deny that he's looking a contender for POTY.
And what a season. No matter how his goals are grouped, you can't deny that he's looking a contender for POTY.
Yeah, that touch was out of this world.
19 PL goals in open play from 19 PL starts now. Keep up the great work, Berba.
19 PL goals in open play from 19 PL starts now. Keep up the great work, Berba.
He's now scored in the joint-most amount of games of any player in the league (9), with less minutes than Tévez and Carroll whom he's level with, so the whole grouped goals thing has even less credibility than it did.
Still, he's a bit of a cock for not spreading them out... We don't really need 5-0s.
People are having a go at Berbatov for not scoring in enough games, and the quality of the opposition.
No one has accused Tevez of the same, he's scored in the league against:
Wolves(2)
Newcastle(3) - including reverse fixture
Bolton(1)
Fulham(2)
Blackpool(2)
Chelsea(1)
Wigan(1)
Liverpool(2)
so 14 goals in 9 matches, he's played in 20 league matches this season.
Berbatov on the other hand:
Blackpool(2)
Birmingham(4) - including reverse fixture
Sunderland(2)
Blackburn(5)
Liverpool(3)
Everton(1)
West Ham(1)
Newcastle(1)
19 goals in 9 matches, he's also played in 20 league matches this season.
As far as the opposition is concerned, Tevez of course has a goal against Chelsea(we are yet to play them), other than that, I find it hard to see much difference.
Simply put he's been right up there as one of the best players in the league to this point this season.
Probably already been mentioned, but he had less touches than anyone else on the pitch last night. Talk about clinical!
I've been at Berbatovs throat for the past 2 season with his under whelming performances and slack touches infront of goal. But this season we've really seen him take up the challenge of being a United player. The shackles are finally off and his confidence is soaring.
It's taken 2 long years, but Berbatov has finally arrived. About ruddy time
It's taken 2 long years, but Berbatov has finally arrived. About ruddy time
Goals are goals and strikers thrive on that, at first Berba was criticized for not finding the freely and now when he's doing that some of you are finding ridiculous reasons like the one being discussed. He's a class act, end off.
There was a control which left me gobsmacked in the first half.He followed with a half volley which went wide but the initial from Scholes (which I think wasn't intended to him) was unreal.
So much technique is criminal tbh
So much technique is criminal tbh
Wasn't the pass meant for Nani?
That stopping of Scholes' pass was something else. Special mention must go to Giggs and Chicharito to for doing similar
The commentators I had during the game didn't even mention how difficult that was.It's as if we (as football fans) know better than them regarding what's impressive in terms of technique
Got this piece of info from some other forum, thought of sharing it with you guys.
I still don't know why people criticizes Berbatov by saying he is too inconsistent,they say he has scored in half of the matches played, so to shut those people's mouths i have few stats
Here are his EPL goals this season by games:
1) Newcastle, Home - 3:0, scored the opener
2) West Ham, Home - 3:0, scored the third
3) Everton, Away - 3:3, scored the third, we were leading 2:1 before he scored
4) Liverpool, Home - 3:2 - was the first United player to score a hat-trick against Liverpool for 64 years.
5) Blackburn, Home - 7:1 - he was only the 4th player to score 5 goals in a single game since PL was created
6) Sunderland, Away - 2:0 - scored both of the goals
7) Birmingham, Away - 1:1 - scored the only goal for us. Would have been the winner if the ref wasn't so blind
8) Birmingham, Home - 5:0 - scored his 3rd hat-trick in the season so far, becoming only the 3rd player to achieve hat-trick of hat-tricks in a single season.
9) Blackpool, Away - 3:2 - scored 2 - the first goal, that brought us back in the game and the winner itself.
So he has scored in 9 of the 20 games he has taken part in. On 3 occasions he has scored 3 or more goals, on 2 he has scored 2 goals.
Still that means that he scores in about 50% of the games he starts.
The next best top scorer in EPL is Carlos Tevez. Just two games ago he was on par with Berbatov in terms of goals scored, but he was said to have scored them more evenly.
Is it true? Let's see!
1) Liverpool, Home - 2 goals
2) Wigan, Away - 1
3) Chelsea, Home - 1 and only goal in this game, i.e. winner
4) Newcastle, Home - 1
5) Blackpool, Away - 2
6) Fulham, Away - 2
7) Bolton, Home - 1 and only
8) Newcastle, Away - 2
9) Wolverhampton, Away - 2
So the next best topscorer has scored his goals in the same amount of games - 9. But they are 5 less. Also, Tevez has started in 21 PL games so far this season.
We can also put Messi in consideration: he has scored 19 goals in 11 games. He has also played in 17 La Liga games.
Btw, Ronaldo's stats: 20 La Liga games played, 22 goals scored. He has scored his goals in 10 games.
I still don't know why people criticizes Berbatov by saying he is too inconsistent,they say he has scored in half of the matches played, so to shut those people's mouths i have few stats
Here are his EPL goals this season by games:
1) Newcastle, Home - 3:0, scored the opener
2) West Ham, Home - 3:0, scored the third
3) Everton, Away - 3:3, scored the third, we were leading 2:1 before he scored
4) Liverpool, Home - 3:2 - was the first United player to score a hat-trick against Liverpool for 64 years.
5) Blackburn, Home - 7:1 - he was only the 4th player to score 5 goals in a single game since PL was created
6) Sunderland, Away - 2:0 - scored both of the goals
7) Birmingham, Away - 1:1 - scored the only goal for us. Would have been the winner if the ref wasn't so blind
8) Birmingham, Home - 5:0 - scored his 3rd hat-trick in the season so far, becoming only the 3rd player to achieve hat-trick of hat-tricks in a single season.
9) Blackpool, Away - 3:2 - scored 2 - the first goal, that brought us back in the game and the winner itself.
So he has scored in 9 of the 20 games he has taken part in. On 3 occasions he has scored 3 or more goals, on 2 he has scored 2 goals.
Still that means that he scores in about 50% of the games he starts.
The next best top scorer in EPL is Carlos Tevez. Just two games ago he was on par with Berbatov in terms of goals scored, but he was said to have scored them more evenly.
Is it true? Let's see!
1) Liverpool, Home - 2 goals
2) Wigan, Away - 1
3) Chelsea, Home - 1 and only goal in this game, i.e. winner
4) Newcastle, Home - 1
5) Blackpool, Away - 2
6) Fulham, Away - 2
7) Bolton, Home - 1 and only
8) Newcastle, Away - 2
9) Wolverhampton, Away - 2
So the next best topscorer has scored his goals in the same amount of games - 9. But they are 5 less. Also, Tevez has started in 21 PL games so far this season.
We can also put Messi in consideration: he has scored 19 goals in 11 games. He has also played in 17 La Liga games.
Btw, Ronaldo's stats: 20 La Liga games played, 22 goals scored. He has scored his goals in 10 games.
F365 by chance?
Also, Berba's are from open play only. Tevez has a couple of penalties at least. What about the rest?. Not sure about Messi
The only frustrating thing was the length of time from his hat-trick v Liverpool and the 5 v Blackburn, some 2 months and 10 games I think. He still played well in a lot of those games, mind. Hopefully he'll avoid another barren spell like that for the rest of the season.
Also, the Sunderland game was at Old Trafford. We drew at their place 0-0.
Dimitar Berbatov turns from luxury item into essential goods
Manchester United appear to have enough firepower to reclaim the title but in Europe a striking decision must be made
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Paul Wilson
The Observer, Sunday 30 January 2011
Article history
Dimitar Berbatov has proved his finishing excellence this season, with the first of three hat-tricks coming against Liverpool. Photograph: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar
There can be no doubting the fact that Dimitar Berbatov has silenced his critics this season. A total of 19 goals from 19 Premier League starts is phenomenal by any standards and not only does the Bulgarian lead the scoring table but he now leads the Manchester United attack. Berbatov has scored around 40% of United's goals in the current league campaign and, with Wayne Rooney famously becalmed and Javier Hernández mostly being introduced from the bench, the previously maligned striker is largely responsible for his side's position unbeaten at the top of the table.
Only the hyper-critical would point out that eight of Berbatov's goals have come from only two games, against supine Old Trafford opponents in the form of Blackburn and Birmingham. The striker's first hat-trick of the season came against Liverpool, his finishing excellence effectively proving the difference between the sides, and he was not far from a fourth hat-trick at Blackpool the other night when his two goals were instrumental in turning a losing position into a winning one in the last quarter of the game.
Berbatov managed only 26 goals in his first two seasons at United, roughly half the strike rate he had been achieving at Tottenham, and questions over his effectiveness were largely justified. He may never have been the complete flop that some United fans claimed – his touch rarely let him down and some of the goals he did score or help create were sublime – but £30m strikers have to be measured by their strike rate and even Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to harbour doubts when the big games came around. Berbatov made only the bench for the 2009 Champions League final in Rome and was not selected to start in either of the games against Bayern Munich last season that marked the end of United's European journey.
In both those seasons Berbatov could fairly have been described as a luxury player at Old Trafford. Around half the supporters enjoyed what he could do, and the other half became increasingly irritated by what he did not do, but for the most part it hardly mattered because United had other players capable of scoring goals and winning matches. Cristiano Ronaldo pitched in with 26 in his final season in 2008-09, even if he never hit the heights of his annus mirabilis the previous year, and Rooney was in blistering form 12 months ago, winning games virtually on his own and ending up with 34 goals. Now Rooney appears to have turned into the old Berbatov, winning praise for his attitude and his all-round play but gradually being shunted towards the periphery because of his lack of goals, while the new Berbatov scores for fun and has even added a bit of tackling back to his repertoire to confound those who complained about his work-rate.
United will not worry too much about where the goals come from as long as they keep coming, though Ferguson originally envisaged a partnership between Rooney and Berbatov as the spearhead of his attack, and in three seasons that has never happened. In terms of the goalscoring burden it has been either all Rooney or all Berbatov. Again that might not seem the worst position in the world to be in, yet United's over-reliance on one striker cost them at the business end of last season. They missed Rooney most notably in stumbling uncharacteristically during the title run-in, though it was in the Champions League quarter-final that he picked up the injury that seems to have altered the course of his career.
This season, with Hernández and Nani chipping in behind Berbatov and the possibility of a sudden Rooney recovery never to be discounted, United appear to have enough firepower to hold on to their lead and reclaim the title. When the Champions League recommences in a few weeks, however, there is a decision to make. Though Berbatov's finishing for Bayer Leverkusen was what alerted Ferguson to his talent in the first place, the Champions League has not been as rewarding of late. Berbatov has not scored in Europe since a couple against Aalborg in September, 2008, partly because Ferguson has not made him a regular selection.
His domestic form demands that now, whereas Rooney's form, as opposed to potential or track record, makes him the likelier candidate to be left out. Some United fans already believe Hernández has done enough to deserve more regular starts, knowing full well that it would be perverse of Ferguson to drop anyone but Rooney to accommodate him. Even if Ferguson feels the Mexican is not quite ready for the Champions League – though it has to be said he enjoyed an impressive World Cup – United have tended to employ only one recognised striker in their European line-ups.
Rooney was the man this time last year. Leading the attack more or less on his own, he pulverised Milan in the last 16 with four goals over the two legs. Now that he is struggling to match that total for the season it is far from automatic he will be asked to do the same in Marseille. Contrary to popular opinion United are not playing badly this season, they are simply playing differently. They can no longer rely on Rooney for fireworks and, though Berbatov has come to the rescue, the Bulgarian has done so in his own elegant style and the explosiveness of previous seasons is missing. Whether this is a lasting change, or a temporary adjustment, will shortly be discovered in Europe.
Manchester United appear to have enough firepower to reclaim the title but in Europe a striking decision must be made
Share
50
Comments (37)
Paul Wilson
The Observer, Sunday 30 January 2011
Article history
Dimitar Berbatov has proved his finishing excellence this season, with the first of three hat-tricks coming against Liverpool. Photograph: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar
There can be no doubting the fact that Dimitar Berbatov has silenced his critics this season. A total of 19 goals from 19 Premier League starts is phenomenal by any standards and not only does the Bulgarian lead the scoring table but he now leads the Manchester United attack. Berbatov has scored around 40% of United's goals in the current league campaign and, with Wayne Rooney famously becalmed and Javier Hernández mostly being introduced from the bench, the previously maligned striker is largely responsible for his side's position unbeaten at the top of the table.
Only the hyper-critical would point out that eight of Berbatov's goals have come from only two games, against supine Old Trafford opponents in the form of Blackburn and Birmingham. The striker's first hat-trick of the season came against Liverpool, his finishing excellence effectively proving the difference between the sides, and he was not far from a fourth hat-trick at Blackpool the other night when his two goals were instrumental in turning a losing position into a winning one in the last quarter of the game.
Berbatov managed only 26 goals in his first two seasons at United, roughly half the strike rate he had been achieving at Tottenham, and questions over his effectiveness were largely justified. He may never have been the complete flop that some United fans claimed – his touch rarely let him down and some of the goals he did score or help create were sublime – but £30m strikers have to be measured by their strike rate and even Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to harbour doubts when the big games came around. Berbatov made only the bench for the 2009 Champions League final in Rome and was not selected to start in either of the games against Bayern Munich last season that marked the end of United's European journey.
In both those seasons Berbatov could fairly have been described as a luxury player at Old Trafford. Around half the supporters enjoyed what he could do, and the other half became increasingly irritated by what he did not do, but for the most part it hardly mattered because United had other players capable of scoring goals and winning matches. Cristiano Ronaldo pitched in with 26 in his final season in 2008-09, even if he never hit the heights of his annus mirabilis the previous year, and Rooney was in blistering form 12 months ago, winning games virtually on his own and ending up with 34 goals. Now Rooney appears to have turned into the old Berbatov, winning praise for his attitude and his all-round play but gradually being shunted towards the periphery because of his lack of goals, while the new Berbatov scores for fun and has even added a bit of tackling back to his repertoire to confound those who complained about his work-rate.
United will not worry too much about where the goals come from as long as they keep coming, though Ferguson originally envisaged a partnership between Rooney and Berbatov as the spearhead of his attack, and in three seasons that has never happened. In terms of the goalscoring burden it has been either all Rooney or all Berbatov. Again that might not seem the worst position in the world to be in, yet United's over-reliance on one striker cost them at the business end of last season. They missed Rooney most notably in stumbling uncharacteristically during the title run-in, though it was in the Champions League quarter-final that he picked up the injury that seems to have altered the course of his career.
This season, with Hernández and Nani chipping in behind Berbatov and the possibility of a sudden Rooney recovery never to be discounted, United appear to have enough firepower to hold on to their lead and reclaim the title. When the Champions League recommences in a few weeks, however, there is a decision to make. Though Berbatov's finishing for Bayer Leverkusen was what alerted Ferguson to his talent in the first place, the Champions League has not been as rewarding of late. Berbatov has not scored in Europe since a couple against Aalborg in September, 2008, partly because Ferguson has not made him a regular selection.
His domestic form demands that now, whereas Rooney's form, as opposed to potential or track record, makes him the likelier candidate to be left out. Some United fans already believe Hernández has done enough to deserve more regular starts, knowing full well that it would be perverse of Ferguson to drop anyone but Rooney to accommodate him. Even if Ferguson feels the Mexican is not quite ready for the Champions League – though it has to be said he enjoyed an impressive World Cup – United have tended to employ only one recognised striker in their European line-ups.
Rooney was the man this time last year. Leading the attack more or less on his own, he pulverised Milan in the last 16 with four goals over the two legs. Now that he is struggling to match that total for the season it is far from automatic he will be asked to do the same in Marseille. Contrary to popular opinion United are not playing badly this season, they are simply playing differently. They can no longer rely on Rooney for fireworks and, though Berbatov has come to the rescue, the Bulgarian has done so in his own elegant style and the explosiveness of previous seasons is missing. Whether this is a lasting change, or a temporary adjustment, will shortly be discovered in Europe.
Methinks there will be feck all more said about Berba's transfer fee after today!!!
And rightly so. It shouldn't have been used as a stick to beat Berba with in the first place.
It got very boring and annoying the way Berbatov's price was kept being mentioned by posters.Just like it's becoming boring and annoying to hear about Rooney's alleged wages.
Only idiots don't separate the player from the money involved around him
Only idiots don't separate the player from the money involved around him
I still think Rooney will pick up some form this season
If not, yes Europe will be a problem, as we still lack the players in midfield to play 4-4-2
Then again I don't really have any expectations in Europe this season anyway, we'd have to be outrageously lucky to win it.
If not, yes Europe will be a problem, as we still lack the players in midfield to play 4-4-2
Then again I don't really have any expectations in Europe this season anyway, we'd have to be outrageously lucky to win it.
after andy carroll, i take back all the 'overpriced' labels i have attached to berbatov.
Just because we haven't been playing great doesn't mean we'll be lucky. If we are well organized defensively and play like a lot of our players should be able to, it won't be luck.
Park and Valencia back for the competition will put us in a very solid shape for the next stage(s).
As for Rooney - if he doesn't play well in the next few games, then Berba should be allowed to give it a go. But, I've said previously - Berba relies on those behind him often to have any kind of impact on games. Rooney on the other hand if rest of the team are not playing well, even as a lonestriker will take it upon himself to get involved and make things happen. Berba will do as he is told and just wait it seems.
For that reason, Rooney may still be the better option if we are playing just 1 of the 2 of them in Europe or even against the likes Le Arse or Chelski.
Given that we're not nearly the best side in Europe, I reckon it will take a fair amount of luck to win it even assuming we beat Marseille. Not saying we won't do it of course.
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