Robin van Persie hits hat-trick as Manchester United bounces back to beat Olympiakos in UCL

ROBIN van Persie netted a hat-trick as Manchester United overturned a first-leg deficit to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

ROBIN van Persie scored a hat-trick as Manchester United kept their season alive by storming back to beat Olympiakos 3-0 and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

United were left on the brink of elimination after losing the first leg of the last 16 tie 2-0, but on a stirring night at Old Trafford the Dutchman’s treble took them into the last eight for the first time since 2011.

News_Rich_Media: Manchester United are through to the quarter finals of the UEFA CHampions League after a 3-0 win over Olympiakos.

Van Persie’s evening was to end on a sour note, as he was stretchered from the field in the latter stages after going down holding his leg, but it did not dampen United’s celebrations.

It was the first time United had ever overturned a two-goal deficit in the competition and made them only the sixth team to have clawed back a disadvantage of two goals or more in the Champions League era.

Victory was far from straightforward, however, with United goalkeeper David de Gea notably producing a fine double save shortly before Van Persie levelled the tie in first-half injury time.

United’s progress will ease the pressure on manager David Moyes, whose position was the subject of intense press speculation prior to kick-off, but he will remain under scrutiny over the season’s closing weeks.

News_Image_File: Manchester United players hurry to the restart play after RVP’s second goal.

United, for whom Ryan Giggs excelled in central midfield, made their attacking intent immediately clear, with the forwards pressing high up the pitch and sighs echoing around the ground whenever the ball went backwards.

A low Jose Holebas cross had to be hacked clear by Phil Jones, while Hernan Perez should have done better than hoist the ball high and wide from 12 yards after being picked out by Joel Campbell for the visitors.

News_Image_File: Manchester United manager David Moyes had a spring in his step at half time.

Gradually, United raised the tempo, and after Wayne Rooney had put a header against the post from a floated Giggs cross, they secured a foothold in the tie in the 25th minute.

Giggs was the architect, his raking pass freeing Van Persie, who was clattered from behind by Holebas, and after referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot, the Dutch striker swept home from 12 yards.

Visiting goalkeeper Roberto then touched a Patrice Evra header over the bar, but United would have had a mountain to climb had De Gea not produced a stunning double save to thwart David Fuster and Dominguez.

Within minutes the tie was level, as Giggs - again - freed Rooney with a lofted ball into the inside-right channel and the England man centred for Van Persie to slam home.

News_Image_File: Robin van Persie of Manchester United celebrates a goal with teammates.

United had the momentum and seven minutes into the second half they made it count when Van Persie whipped a 25-yard free-kick past an oddly static Roberto to complete his first Champions League hat-trick.

The hosts remained vulnerable, however, with Olympiakos needing just one goal to regain the lead, and there were heart-in-mouth moments when De Gea was obliged to save from Perez and Dominguez.

News_Rich_Media: Zenit St Petersburg have defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League.

Ultimately United survived, but at the cost of Van Persie’s injury and a booking to Evra that rules him out of the first leg of their quarter-finals.

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund limped into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after being beaten 2-1 by Zenit St Petersburg but that was enough for them to go through 5-4 on aggregate.

The first-leg win in Russia always looked like being enough for last season’s runners-up to progress, and indeed it was - but only just.

News_Image_File: Dortmund players savour winning the tie against Zenit.

Zenit pushed forward from the first whistle and their lead was fully justified as Hulk smashed a wonderful shot past Roman Weidenfeller just 16-minutes in.

Dortmund though managed to get level just before the break when captain Sebastian Kehl headed home a brilliant cross from Marcel Schmelzer - although Zenit keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev got both hands to the ball and will feel he could have done better.

News_Image_File: Zenit's Slovakian defender Tomas Hubocan was left bloodied by a challenge.

Zenit were given a little hope when substitute Jose Rondon stooped to head home Domenico Criscito’s cross with 17-minutes left, but another two goals was just too much to ask from the Russian outfit - whose performance on the night will no doubt have pleased their in-coming coach Andre-Villas Boas, who officially takes charge on Thursday.

Instead it is Jurgen Klopp who guides his side into the last eight once again, who will be thankful his side managed to build up a hefty first-leg advantage.

Re-live the match in our blog below.

News_Module: UCL Blog