Hat Trick Heroes: Wayne Rooney

Penalties wrecked Avram Grant’s big day again. Spot-kicks took centre stage on a drenched Fratton Park turf as two clinically placed drives from Wayne Rooney cut short Grant’s honeymoon period on the South Coast. The genius behind much of United’s challenge for honours this season, Rooney crowned a dogged display with his first hat trick in three seasons.

1^st goal (25, pen): A pacy Antonio Valencia run through the middle of the park sets up Rooney to muscle his way into the box causing Michael Brown to plant a lazy lunge to the striker’s left. Rooney tumbles under the challenge but dusts himself off to smash the ensuing penalty beyond Pompey reserve keeper Asmir Begovic.  Rating: 7

2^nd goal (48): Any hope of a Pompey revival is crushed when Michael Carrick sends a delicate chip over the home defense to Ryan Giggs, who cleverly angles the ball beyond three retreating defenders for Rooney to tuck past Begovic. Rating: 8

3^rd goal (54, pen): In a straight dual with Frederic Piquionne, Ryan Giggs races down the left flank and gets the better of his opposite number only to be bundled over from behind after breaking into the box. Rooney places the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net to secure his hat-trick and another crucial three points for United. Rating: 6

Hat trick aggregate: 7

—

The other Hat Trick Heroes:

Fernando Torres

Jermain Defoe

Yossi Benayoun

Peter Crouch

Robbie Keane

One Response to “Hat Trick Heroes: Wayne Rooney”

1. Hat Trick Heroes: Wayne Rooney (Pt II) | Footy Factor - Premiership Conclusions says:

   January 25, 2010 at 12:50 am

   [...] second time the Manchester United attacker has featured in this category, Wayne Rooney proved yet again the saviour [...]