Sir Alex Ferguson

Bulgarian hitman Berbatov, who is now 7/2 joint favourite to finish top Premier League Goalscorer, was the star of the show as he ended a run of 10 matches without a goal by smashing five past a hapless Rovers outfit.

And, while Ferguson was delighted with his goals glut, he felt Rooney’s overall game played a huge part in the impressive win.

“Berbatov and Rooney were a good combination today – they interchanged brilliantly today. Wayne was fantastic,” said Ferguson.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce apologised to the travelling fans who witnessed the mauling, although he is not too worried about his side’s long-term prospects (Rovers 10/1 Relegation) given that he had a host of regulars absent, while he also felt United were on top of their game.

Allardyce said: “We had seven first-team players missing from the start. However, I did expect more from the players who did start.

“Unfortunately we caught United at their best. At half time we were 3-0 down and I told the players to protect that scoreline but they’d lost it by then.”

Arsenal, who are 19/5 to win the Premier League, maintained their title aspirations having briefly taken over top spot earlier on Saturday thanks to an impressive 4-2 win at Aston Villa.

And boss Arsene Wenger felt his side showed great character to bounce back from defeats to Tottenham and at Braga in midweek, and then stave off a Villa comeback after the home side had reduced the two-goal deficit to 2-1 and 3-2 during the second half at Villa Park.

“At 2-0, at half-time, you could feel what happened [against Tottenham] had an impact in their head,” said Wenger.

“We could have crumbled or we could score again – and we did the latter. We got a good mental response.”

Villa manager Gerard Houllier, whose team is 9/2 for a Top Six Premier League finish, blamed his side’s poor first half showing for the defeat against the Gunners.

“We were poor in the first half. Whether it was because we showed them too much respect, or lacked experience, I don’t know,” said the Frenchman.

“We never got started. We were a different team in the second half, showed more energy and took more risks.”

Meanwhile, West Ham boss Avram Grant is confident that he can guide his side into a mid-table finish (21/20 To Stay Up) following their 3-1 win against fellow strugglers Wigan in the ‘Save Our Season’ billed game at Upton Park.

Valon Behrami, Victor Obinna and Scott Parker were on target for the Hammers and, despite Grant’s men staying bottom and three points adrift of safety, the Israeli is backing himself to steer the Londoners to safety.

He said: “We are only nine points from the middle. That’s (a gap) you can close with more than 20 games to go.

“We have played only 15 games, so at the moment it does not really matter if Wolves win or the others do – we need to do our job.”

Meanwhile, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was disappointed with the manner of the goals his side conceded in a crucial game against the Hammers which has left them in trouble in third-bottom spot and 8/11 for Relegation.

He said: “It was a day of a real test of character, and that was there, but in football you cannot concede cheap goals, otherwise you are making things very difficult.

“We just weren’t ourselves, and that is where the work is going to be.”

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The Bulgarian boosted his tally for the campaign thanks to a match-winning hat-trick against arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday – the Red Devils won the game 3-2 despite seeing a two-goal lead cancelled out by Steven Gerrard – following strikes against Newcastle, West Ham and Everton.

Berbatov’s treble was his first for United following his switch from Spurs two years ago and it was also United’s first against Liverpool in over 60 years, as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men bounced back from draw against Everton and Rangers, the latter of which was in the Champions League.

Berbatov has struggled to justify his £30m price tag since swapping White Hart Lane for Old Trafford and while he stole the headlines, the 29-year-old will also be aware he must back up his performance.

Ferguson admits fans were right to be sceptical about the former Bulgaria captain’s ability to slot into United’s side, but the Scot now hopes a corner has been turned.

“Lots of questions were asked about him last season and he was made something of a whipping boy, to the point where he must have wondered whether he had a future at Old Trafford,” said Ferguson.

“But the man has real ability and he is a Manchester United kind of player.

“I concede at times he seemed to struggle but if you are satisfied about a player’s credentials you must persevere and trust your judgement.

“You must have faith and I think we are being rewarded this season for our confidence in a player who has a touch of genius about him.”

Ferguson added: “We paid a lot of money for him and we should have understood that for whatever reason players do not always settle quickly after a big transfer, especially at a club of our stature.

“Certainly this is a big season for him that could determine the rest of his career.”

Meanhile, Tevez was also on target at the weekend, opening the scoring in City’s 2-0 win at Wigan which also saw summer signing Yaya Toure get off the mark for the Blues.

City are now up to fourth place ahead of Saturday’s home clash against champions Chelsea who have won all five games so far in the Premier League (City 4/6 – Top Four Finish).

Before that, boss Roberto Mancini takes City (4/6 – 90 minutes) to West Brom (7/2) on Wednesday for a Carling Cup third-round clash.

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Alex McLeish

The experienced Scottish boss knows expectations at St Andrew’s have increased after last season’s impressive ninth-placed finish last season and also the investment into the side over the summer.

His side have had an up-and-down start to their Premier League campaign this season and sit 12th in the table with six points. They went down 3-1 to local rivals West Bromwich Albion (6/5 – relegation outright) at the weekend after taking the lead through Cameron Jerome.

There are a number of club fighting for a top-10 finish this season and the Premier League looks as being competitive as it has been in recent years, and McLeish has poured scorn on suggestions Birmingham could finish in the top six by stating it is “ludicrous to suggest that”.

The likes of Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa (5/2 – Premier League top six) are all likely to be fighting for a top four spot and McLeish knows his side would have to finish above a couple of these to secure a top-six spot.

He has said that he knows the “whole squad” at Birmingham are capable of playing in the Premier League, but he needs to be honest about their aspirations for the season.

“My experiences in the game tell me it is nigh on impossible. We can all dream and have ambition but there are about eight teams in there who, over a length of the season, will always come to the fore,” said the boss.

“Then the rest are fighting for the other places. If we come ninth again, it will be phenomenal.

“I would judge that even better than last season. Finishing in the top 17 is our priority again.”

McLeish is preparing his side for a Carling Cup tie with League One side MK Dons (Birmingham 2/5 to win, MK Dons 5/1, draw 10/3 – 90 minutes) at St Andrew’s on Tuesday night and he is set to give starting spots to summer signings Nikola Zigic, Matt Derbyshire, Jean Beausejour and Martin Jiranek.

The likes of Keith Fahey, Michel and Alexander Hleb are all set to start also and the manager has admitted “the gauntlet is being thrown down” to these players to show him they are worthy of stating in Birmingham’s next Premier League game against Wigan at the weekend.

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Steven Gerrard

The 4-0 success over Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday was followed up with the 3-1 win in Basel and Gerrard was delighted with the display, saying England “tore their opponents apart” at times.

The abysmal World Cup showing over the summer will soon be forgotten if Capello’s side can continue to play like they did on Tuesday and the stand-in skipper claims the feel-good factor is back in the camp.

Gerrard admitted: “I think all the players who were over in South Africa realised it wasn’t good enough.

“We knew we had to regroup, stick together and try and raise our performance levels. I think over the last two games we’ve certainly done that.”

Many had predicted a tight game in Group G but England, with Adam Johnson, Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and James Milner all starring, were always on top and should have been further in front than 1-0 at half time.

The Liverpool star admitted he was expecting a tough defensive showing from Switzerland, who famously beat world champions Spain in South Africa, but insisted they could not live with England as an attacking force.

“They’ve got a good record, especially at home,” Gerrard added. “Many people were talking about them being hard to score against and hard to beat, but I thought we tore them apart at times.”

England take on Montenegro next in the group, in what could prove a tougher game than originally expected, after they picked up their second win on Tuesday.

Following a 1-0 win over Wales on Friday, the so-called ‘minnows’ also won 1-0 in Bulgaria and will head to Wembley next month in good heart (Montenegro 22/1 to win the group).

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Harry Redknapp

The north London outfit now join rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and SPL champions Rangers in the hat for Thursday’s draw.

Tottenham have been placed in pot three, along with Rangers, and are destined to be paired with either last year’s winners Inter Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan or Lyon.

They cannot face another English side yet and as such will be paired with one of the European super powers mentioned above.

However, Tottenham (5/2 – Premier League top-4 finish) won’t mind who they are paired with after finally returning to Europe’s top competition following a 49-year absence.

The group stages alone are worth £11million to each club involved, with last season’s champions Inter Milan eventually being given £40million for winning the competition.

Spurs’ qualification for the first round had been in doubt heading into Wednesday’s game, with Young Boys holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the tie.

However, Tottenham quickly drew themselves level on aggregate thanks to Peter Crouch’s header and from then on never looked back, dominating the Swiss side.

Crouch eventually completed his hat-trick while Jermain Defoe got the other as they won 4-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.

Spurs’ entry into the Champions League completes a remarkable turnaround by Redknapp, who took over at White Hart Lane two years ago with the club languishing at the foot of the Premier League.

The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton manager says he always believed he could get Tottenham  into the Champions League and claims this is where the north London club belongs.

“I always felt it was possible. Tottenham were a club which had underachieved for a long time,” Redknapp said.

“The potential was here if we could get the players, and it is not as if I have bought a new team, it was just about instilling a bit of confidence, getting them playing and maybe changing their attitude in some cases. They responded and we have ended up where we have.”

Redknapp went on to give further joy to Tottenham fans by claiming that Defoe (22/1 – Premier League top scorer) might not need surgery on an injured groin muscle after all.

The England striker started the game on Wednesday having revealed earlier in the day that he would need surgery after the match to correct a long-standing injury.

However, Redknapp has played down those fears, claiming Defoe didn’t feel any pain during his time he was on the pitch.

“Now he is saying he might not need it,” he added.

“We are in the hands of the medical people, but he said he did not feel anything tonight.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Harry Redknapp

The north London outfit now join rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and SPL champions Rangers in the hat for Thursday’s draw.

Tottenham have been placed in pot three, along with Rangers, and are destined to be paired with either last year’s winners Inter Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan or Lyon.

They cannot face another English side yet and as such will be paired with one of the European super powers mentioned above.

However, Tottenham (5/2 – Premier League top-4 finish) won’t mind who they are paired with after finally returning to Europe’s top competition following a 49-year absence.

The group stages alone are worth £11million to each club involved, with last season’s champions Inter Milan eventually being given £40million for winning the competition.

Spurs’ qualification for the first round had been in doubt heading into Wednesday’s game, with Young Boys holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the tie.

However, Tottenham quickly drew themselves level on aggregate thanks to Peter Crouch’s header and from then on never looked back, dominating the Swiss side.

Crouch eventually completed his hat-trick while Jermain Defoe got the other as they won 4-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.

Spurs’ entry into the Champions League completes a remarkable turnaround by Redknapp, who took over at White Hart Lane two years ago with the club languishing at the foot of the Premier League.

The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton manager says he always believed he could get Tottenham  into the Champions League and claims this is where the north London club belongs.

“I always felt it was possible. Tottenham were a club which had underachieved for a long time,” Redknapp said.

“The potential was here if we could get the players, and it is not as if I have bought a new team, it was just about instilling a bit of confidence, getting them playing and maybe changing their attitude in some cases. They responded and we have ended up where we have.”

Redknapp went on to give further joy to Tottenham fans by claiming that Defoe (22/1 – Premier League top scorer) might not need surgery on an injured groin muscle after all.

The England striker started the game on Wednesday having revealed earlier in the day that he would need surgery after the match to correct a long-standing injury.

However, Redknapp has played down those fears, claiming Defoe didn’t feel any pain during his time he was on the pitch.

“Now he is saying he might not need it,” he added.

“We are in the hands of the medical people, but he said he did not feel anything tonight.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Harry Redknapp

The north London outfit now join rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and SPL champions Rangers in the hat for Thursday’s draw.

Tottenham have been placed in pot three, along with Rangers, and are destined to be paired with either last year’s winners Inter Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan or Lyon.

They cannot face another English side yet and as such will be paired with one of the European super powers mentioned above.

However, Tottenham (5/2 – Premier League top-4 finish) won’t mind who they are paired with after finally returning to Europe’s top competition following a 49-year absence.

The group stages alone are worth £11million to each club involved, with last season’s champions Inter Milan eventually being given £40million for winning the competition.

Spurs’ qualification for the first round had been in doubt heading into Wednesday’s game, with Young Boys holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the tie.

However, Tottenham quickly drew themselves level on aggregate thanks to Peter Crouch’s header and from then on never looked back, dominating the Swiss side.

Crouch eventually completed his hat-trick while Jermain Defoe got the other as they won 4-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.

Spurs’ entry into the Champions League completes a remarkable turnaround by Redknapp, who took over at White Hart Lane two years ago with the club languishing at the foot of the Premier League.

The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton manager says he always believed he could get Tottenham  into the Champions League and claims this is where the north London club belongs.

“I always felt it was possible. Tottenham were a club which had underachieved for a long time,” Redknapp said.

“The potential was here if we could get the players, and it is not as if I have bought a new team, it was just about instilling a bit of confidence, getting them playing and maybe changing their attitude in some cases. They responded and we have ended up where we have.”

Redknapp went on to give further joy to Tottenham fans by claiming that Defoe (22/1 – Premier League top scorer) might not need surgery on an injured groin muscle after all.

The England striker started the game on Wednesday having revealed earlier in the day that he would need surgery after the match to correct a long-standing injury.

However, Redknapp has played down those fears, claiming Defoe didn’t feel any pain during his time he was on the pitch.

“Now he is saying he might not need it,” he added.

“We are in the hands of the medical people, but he said he did not feel anything tonight.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Harry Redknapp

The north London outfit now join rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and SPL champions Rangers in the hat for Thursday’s draw.

Tottenham have been placed in pot three, along with Rangers, and are destined to be paired with either last year’s winners Inter Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan or Lyon.

They cannot face another English side yet and as such will be paired with one of the European super powers mentioned above.

However, Tottenham (5/2 – Premier League top-4 finish) won’t mind who they are paired with after finally returning to Europe’s top competition following a 49-year absence.

The group stages alone are worth £11million to each club involved, with last season’s champions Inter Milan eventually being given £40million for winning the competition.

Spurs’ qualification for the first round had been in doubt heading into Wednesday’s game, with Young Boys holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the tie.

However, Tottenham quickly drew themselves level on aggregate thanks to Peter Crouch’s header and from then on never looked back, dominating the Swiss side.

Crouch eventually completed his hat-trick while Jermain Defoe got the other as they won 4-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.

Spurs’ entry into the Champions League completes a remarkable turnaround by Redknapp, who took over at White Hart Lane two years ago with the club languishing at the foot of the Premier League.

The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton manager says he always believed he could get Tottenham  into the Champions League and claims this is where the north London club belongs.

“I always felt it was possible. Tottenham were a club which had underachieved for a long time,” Redknapp said.

“The potential was here if we could get the players, and it is not as if I have bought a new team, it was just about instilling a bit of confidence, getting them playing and maybe changing their attitude in some cases. They responded and we have ended up where we have.”

Redknapp went on to give further joy to Tottenham fans by claiming that Defoe (22/1 – Premier League top scorer) might not need surgery on an injured groin muscle after all.

The England striker started the game on Wednesday having revealed earlier in the day that he would need surgery after the match to correct a long-standing injury.

However, Redknapp has played down those fears, claiming Defoe didn’t feel any pain during his time he was on the pitch.

“Now he is saying he might not need it,” he added.

“We are in the hands of the medical people, but he said he did not feel anything tonight.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Harry Redknapp

The north London outfit now join rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and SPL champions Rangers in the hat for Thursday’s draw.

Tottenham have been placed in pot three, along with Rangers, and are destined to be paired with either last year’s winners Inter Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan or Lyon.

They cannot face another English side yet and as such will be paired with one of the European super powers mentioned above.

However, Tottenham (5/2 – Premier League top-4 finish) won’t mind who they are paired with after finally returning to Europe’s top competition following a 49-year absence.

The group stages alone are worth £11million to each club involved, with last season’s champions Inter Milan eventually being given £40million for winning the competition.

Spurs’ qualification for the first round had been in doubt heading into Wednesday’s game, with Young Boys holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the tie.

However, Tottenham quickly drew themselves level on aggregate thanks to Peter Crouch’s header and from then on never looked back, dominating the Swiss side.

Crouch eventually completed his hat-trick while Jermain Defoe got the other as they won 4-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.

Spurs’ entry into the Champions League completes a remarkable turnaround by Redknapp, who took over at White Hart Lane two years ago with the club languishing at the foot of the Premier League.

The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton manager says he always believed he could get Tottenham  into the Champions League and claims this is where the north London club belongs.

“I always felt it was possible. Tottenham were a club which had underachieved for a long time,” Redknapp said.

“The potential was here if we could get the players, and it is not as if I have bought a new team, it was just about instilling a bit of confidence, getting them playing and maybe changing their attitude in some cases. They responded and we have ended up where we have.”

Redknapp went on to give further joy to Tottenham fans by claiming that Defoe (22/1 – Premier League top scorer) might not need surgery on an injured groin muscle after all.

The England striker started the game on Wednesday having revealed earlier in the day that he would need surgery after the match to correct a long-standing injury.

However, Redknapp has played down those fears, claiming Defoe didn’t feel any pain during his time he was on the pitch.

“Now he is saying he might not need it,” he added.

“We are in the hands of the medical people, but he said he did not feel anything tonight.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Harry Redknapp

The north London outfit now join rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and SPL champions Rangers in the hat for Thursday’s draw.

Tottenham have been placed in pot three, along with Rangers, and are destined to be paired with either last year’s winners Inter Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan or Lyon.

They cannot face another English side yet and as such will be paired with one of the European super powers mentioned above.

However, Tottenham (5/2 – Premier League top-4 finish) won’t mind who they are paired with after finally returning to Europe’s top competition following a 49-year absence.

The group stages alone are worth £11million to each club involved, with last season’s champions Inter Milan eventually being given £40million for winning the competition.

Spurs’ qualification for the first round had been in doubt heading into Wednesday’s game, with Young Boys holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the tie.

However, Tottenham quickly drew themselves level on aggregate thanks to Peter Crouch’s header and from then on never looked back, dominating the Swiss side.

Crouch eventually completed his hat-trick while Jermain Defoe got the other as they won 4-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.

Spurs’ entry into the Champions League completes a remarkable turnaround by Redknapp, who took over at White Hart Lane two years ago with the club languishing at the foot of the Premier League.

The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton manager says he always believed he could get Tottenham  into the Champions League and claims this is where the north London club belongs.

“I always felt it was possible. Tottenham were a club which had underachieved for a long time,” Redknapp said.

“The potential was here if we could get the players, and it is not as if I have bought a new team, it was just about instilling a bit of confidence, getting them playing and maybe changing their attitude in some cases. They responded and we have ended up where we have.”

Redknapp went on to give further joy to Tottenham fans by claiming that Defoe (22/1 – Premier League top scorer) might not need surgery on an injured groin muscle after all.

The England striker started the game on Wednesday having revealed earlier in the day that he would need surgery after the match to correct a long-standing injury.

However, Redknapp has played down those fears, claiming Defoe didn’t feel any pain during his time he was on the pitch.

“Now he is saying he might not need it,” he added.

“We are in the hands of the medical people, but he said he did not feel anything tonight.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.