Shinji Kagawa nets hat-trick as Manchester United blanks Norwich

London, England, United Kingdom (4E Sports) – Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa recorded his first Manchester United hat-trick to carry the Sir Alex Ferguson-side to a 4-0 blanking of Norwich City Saturday.

The win restored United’s 15-point lead over closest rival and defending champion Manchester City and 19 points ahead of Chelsea.

After breaking the deadlock in first-half injury-time, Kagawa scored twice after the break to set up a comfortable victory while Wayne Rooney scored a spectacular fourth for United in the final minute.

“It’s brilliant for him [Kagawa]. The lad is a good finisher and his second goal was so composed and an intelligent finish while his third was absolutely brilliantly-taken. It’s been a great day for him,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson said Kagawa’s career suffered a minor setback with an injury around October last year but the Japanese player is slowly getting his bearings back.

“It knocked him back a bit but he’s gradually coming back and you’ll see a really good player next year,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson rested Ryan Giggs, who was waiting for his 1,000th senior appearance, Rafael and Rio Ferdinand ahead of Tuesday’s game UEFA Champions League game against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho prepared by leaving out Cristiano Ronaldo for the latest “El Clasico” showdown with Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers strengthened its bid to avoid relegation with a 2-1 victory over Southampton.

Loic Remy’s opener in the 14th was cancelled out by Gaston Ramirez in the first-half injury time but Jay Bothroyd struck the winner in the 77th minute, leaving Harry Redknapp’s team four points from safety.

QPR’s chances were also boosted by Reading’s 3-1 loss to Everton. Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas scored for the home side at Goodison Park while Hal Robson-Kanu got a consolation for Reading.

Swansea City edged past Newcastle United 1-0 with a late goal from substitute Luke Moore to climb to seventh place while Sunderland and Fulham drew 2-2 at the Stadium of Light.

Stoke City lost, 1-0, to West Ham United through Jack Collison’s first-half goal while Chelsea temporarily moved to third by beating West Bromwich Albion, 1-0, at Stamford Bridge with a goal from Demba Ba.

A superb hat-trick from Luis Suarez gave Liverpool a 4-0 victory away to Wigan Athletic and lifted Brendan Rodgers’ side to seventh in the Barclays Premier League, while vaulting the Uruguay forward to top of the scoring charts with 21 goals this season.

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