Shinji Kagawa is first Asian player to get Premier League hat-trick
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Shinji Kagawa's first hat-trick for Manchester United inspired them to a 4-0 home win over Norwich City, thus becoming the first Asian player to grab a Premier League hat-trick.
The 23-year-old had only scored twice for the Red Devils since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund, but bettered that tally on Saturday afternoon with three clinical finishes past Norwich goalkeeper Mark Bunn.
His first came on the stroke of half-time when tucked home at the near post after Robin van Persie had prodded Antonio Valencia's cross into the Japan international's path.
Kagawa got No 2 in the 76th minute as Michael Carrick's long ball found Wayne Rooney, who turned and twisted Sébastien Bassong before rolling a pass to Kagawa for one of the calmest finishes you are ever likely to see.
The hat-trick goal was the best of Kagawa's treble as he dinked over Bunn after some fantastic interplay with Danny Welbeck and Rooney again.
"It's brilliant for him," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV.
"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.
"He got that injury around October-November and was out quite a while. It knocked him back a bit but he's gradually coming back and I think you'll see a really good player next year."
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| Manchester United player Shinji Kagawa celebrates after completing his hat-trick against Norwich Photo: Getty Images |
The 23-year-old had only scored twice for the Red Devils since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund, but bettered that tally on Saturday afternoon with three clinical finishes past Norwich goalkeeper Mark Bunn.
His first came on the stroke of half-time when tucked home at the near post after Robin van Persie had prodded Antonio Valencia's cross into the Japan international's path.
Kagawa got No 2 in the 76th minute as Michael Carrick's long ball found Wayne Rooney, who turned and twisted Sébastien Bassong before rolling a pass to Kagawa for one of the calmest finishes you are ever likely to see.
The hat-trick goal was the best of Kagawa's treble as he dinked over Bunn after some fantastic interplay with Danny Welbeck and Rooney again.
"It's brilliant for him," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV.
"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.
"He got that injury around October-November and was out quite a while. It knocked him back a bit but he's gradually coming back and I think you'll see a really good player next year."
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