Olé Gunnar Solskjaer scored a superb hat-trick as Manchester United ended their recent losing streak with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium this evening. The Norwegian claimed an impressive hat-trick before making way for new £7.5million signing Diego Forlan in the 75th minute, while Ruud van Nistelrooy completed the scoring with an easy finish six minutes from time to stretch United's lead at the top of the Premiership to four points.
The visitors withstood some early pressure from Bolton who were seeking to do the double over The Red Devils following their surprise 2-1 win at Old Trafford early in the season, but Solskjaer put United in front against the run of play 15 minutes in. Van Nistelrooy sent Ryan Giggs racing down the left wing after appearing to foul a Bolton defender inside his own half, but Giggs squared for Solskjaer to control and sidefoot home in clinical fashion.
The 25-year-old added his second with a stunning glancing header from a David Beckham corner after 39 minutes, and the England captain centred again from a free-kick on 64 minutes for Solskjaer to claim his third United hat-trick with another near post header. United were well worth their three goal lead, but Bolton made them work extremely hard for the three points and called the lively Fabien Barthez into action on several occasions.
Indeed Michael Ricketts could have had a hat-trick himself but for the Frenchman's lightning reactions, while Ricardo Gardner and Kevin Nolan both had chances for Sam Allardyce's men. However, United had the final say when Van Nistelrooy converted his 16th Premiership goal in the final minutes following another incisive run and pass from Giggs to put the game well beyond Bolton.
Elsewhere in the Premiership, a Chris Bart Williams free-kick was all that separated Charlton Athletic and Derby County at The Valley, the home side now climbing to eighth in the table. Middlesbrough stole a memorable 1-0 victory away to local rivals Sunderland to move out of the drop zone. Noel Whelan was the hero for 'Boro again with a composed strike after 14 minutes, and the visitors held on despite having Gianluca Festa sent-off for a vital win which sees them rise above the relegation mire to 14th.
In Scotland, Aberdeen and Dundee played out a scoreless draw at Pittodrie which does little to change their current standings in the Premier League.
Filed by Shane Murray
