Fergie hails 'fantastic' Berbatov

Published Nov. 27, 2010 7:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

United's record signing ended a 10-game run without a goal by becoming only the fourth player in Premier League history to score five in a game. The record haul helped United to a 7-1 home win over Blackburn, which swept them to the top of the table for the first time this season. And for Berbatov, it provided the perfect confidence boost after he did not even make the squad for last weekend's triumph over Wigan. "It was a fantastic achievement," said Ferguson. "He could have scored six too because Paul Robinson made a fantastic save near the end. "When strikers are not scoring they don't think they are doing their job right. That has always been the case. Today it came back." Berbatov follows former United striker Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe as men who have netted five in a game since the new league was formed in 1992. Berbatov was stunned that he had earned a place in the record books. "I can't believe it. I scored five in a game but it happened," he said. "I have scored that many before but it was a long time ago back home in Bulgaria. "Today I did it in the Premier League. To stand next to people like Cole and Shearer is a great honour." It took Berbatov just 71 seconds to open his account, adding another before the break and then scoring three more times after the restart. "The first goal was the most important," he added. "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."