Vital hat-trick thrills Rooney

 Rooney curled home a magnificent long-range free-kick, 

thundered in a superb leveller and converted a penalty in a breathless 15-minute spell

Wayne Rooney believes practice paid off as he completed the fifth hat-trick of his United career from the penalty spot.

Fabio’s marauding run down the right flank culminated in a cross which struck Matthew Upson’s arm, prompting the award of the game’s third penalty, which Rooney duly slotted home to complete his own treble and United’s comeback. Still, the Reds pressed for more and looked to exploit gaps in the increasingly ragged home defence. With six minutes remaining, Chicharito notched his now customary goal by sliding in from close range after Giggs’ cross had deflected through the legs of two defenders.

“We shall not be moved,” roared the jubilant away support, who had witnessed yet another instance of the sheer bloody-mindedness that has so often separated United from all the rest.

Although his second goal was also his 100th in the Premier League for the Reds, the number ten took the greatest satisfaction from his spot-kick, awarded when, at 2-2, West Ham captain Matthew Upson was deemed by referee Lee Mason to have handled Fabio's cutback.