Chicharito steals headlines, again

He may be miles away across the Atlantic Ocean but Guadalajara-born soccer star Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is still hogging the headlines in the local sports pages.

"Little Pea," as the British press seem to be calling Chicharito, scored a bizarre goal for Manchester United in his first competitive game for his new club as the Red Devils came out 3-1 winners against Chelsea and lifted the Community Shield.

"It's like a movie," reads the headline in local sports' daily Cancha and although the young striker is not yet a "Champion" as the headline in La Aficion pronounces, his story does have the beginnings of a blockbuster.

After agreeing to sign for Manchester United in April, everything has gone right for the former Chivas star.

In the World Cup playing for Mexico "Chicha" broke the deadlock against France with a sublime finish and added to his tally with a rocket of a goal to give el Tri a flicker of hope in the game against Argentina.

After a break back in Guadalajara, Chicharito joined up with his new Manchester United teammates in Houston for the game against the MLS Allstars. Coming on as a sub in the 62nd minute, it wasn't long before he put the ball in the back of the net to the delight of the Mexican-Americans present.

The next stop for the 22-year-old was the inauguration of the Estadio Omnilife in Guadalajara. Playing for his former team Chivas in the first half against Manchester United, it was Chicharito who scored the first goal in the impressive stadium within ten minutes.

The furor surrounding Chicharito's visit seemed more suited to Enrique Iglesias or David Beckham but shows the popularity the youngster has garnered in Guadalajara and around Mexico. Around 1,000 mainly young girls screamed his named at a signing session and his boyish face seems to be in every commercial and billboard around.

For someone who prefers to stay in with his family than go out and doesn't drink alcohol, the sudden fame must be hard to deal with but perhaps his private school education, English language skills and the gap of an ocean from the Mexican press may help.

The fame certainly doesn't seem to be affecting the Little Pea thus far. In a friendly in Ireland last week, the wonderkid continued his run of goals, netting a goal Machester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson described as "fantastic."

As if further evidence was required that everything is going right for the Tapatio, Chicharito's goal against Chelsea on Sunday at Wembley Stadium, London is the icing on the cake.

Manchester United were winning 1-0 deep into the second half but were coming under increasing pressure from English champions Chelsea.

On a quick break, Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia swept a fast, low cross beyond the Chelsea defense. Chicharito had the goal at his mercy but seemed to run past the ball in his enthusiasm to get there. Whilst slipping, Chicharito connected with his right foot and the ball bounced up, smacked him in the face and ricocheted into the empty net. A jublilant Chicharito celebrated by kissing the badge on his shirt and pointing wildly at his head.

Blessed with natural athletism, speed and the knack of being in the right place at the right time, it seems the devout Catholic can do nothing wrong.

The long English season and cruel winters mean that it would be wise to err on the side of caution though, at least for now.