Yak celebrates

By Chris,
December 31 2011

On Sir Alex Ferguson’s 70th birthday, Manchester United suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Steve Kean’s struggling Blackburn Rovers. Two New Years Eve goals from Dimitar Berbatov pulled United level after the visitors took a shock lead, but Rovers pulled ahead once again on 80 minutes following an error from goalkeeper David De Gea.

Berbatov hauled down Chris Samba in the penalty box to hand the visitors a 16th-minute penalty, and Yakubu coolly dispatched the ball home from 12 yards.

Injury problems in defence meant Michael Carrick partnered Phil Jones at the heart of the backline, whilst, and former Everton man Yakubu found his way past them both to double Rovers’ lead shortly after the interval.

United fought back almost immediately as Berbatov headed home a wayward Rafael shot, before the on-form Bulgarian restored parity 10 minutes later by turning home an Antonio Valencia cross.

The travelling Blackburn fans, who had not seen their side win away from home in the league this season, would have feared a trademark United comeback after Berbatov’s equaliser – but it was Kean’s men who found a surprise late goal.

De Gea flapped at Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner and defender Grant Hadley turned the ball home to seal a memorable victory for Rovers.

Amid a woeful atmosphere at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson had left out Wayne Rooney, with the likes of Warren Keane, Ezekiel Fryers and Larnell Cole on the substitutes bench.

The result means United missed out on the chance to go top of the Premier League table and piles pressure on the Reds to bounce back at St.James’ Park against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Full Time – Manchester United 2-3 Blackburn Rovers
Attendance – 75,146