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Montreal Impact tops Chicago Fire in Didier Drogba inspired goal-fest

Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

It was the Didier Drogba show at Stade Saputo as the Montreal Impact's newest superstar striker scored a hat-trick to defeat the Chicago Fire in a back-and-forth match that ultimately ended 4-3 for the home side.

Drogba got the party started in the match, picking out a cross from Nigel Reo-Coker and finding the back of the net with his first goal in Major League Soccer near the half-hour mark. Drogba bowled over Chicago's central defenders, turned, controlled, and slipped home the ball with his right foot to give the Impact a 1-0 lead.

After Drogba's goal, things got fun. Jeff Larentowicz equalized for Chicago soon after, cancelling out the former Chelsea legend's effort. Not to be outdone on the day, Montreal struck back again, Wandrille Lefevre scoring to restore the Impact's lead at 2-1.

Lefevre ran over to celebrate with his new coach, Mauro Biello, in a gesture of respect as Montreal looked to rally, but Chicago would have none of that. Former Toronto FC Designated Player Gilberto, now with the Fire, put his stamp on the game as the first half wound down, scoring to restore the deadlock at 2-2.

The goals continued to flow in the second half as Kennedy Igboananike found the back of the net with a header off a corner kick on the hour mark, giving Chicago its first lead of the game at 3-2.

That lead lasted about half a minute as Montreal struck back off a trick free kick, Ignacio Piatti quickly flipping the ball over to Drogba, who smashed home the shot with his left foot to make it 3-3.

Drogba then added his third of the match two minutes later, rounding off an attacking play (and his perfect hat-trick) with a shot, rebounded upward, then finished with a header for his first MLS hat-trick in his first MLS start.

Related - VIDEOS: Didier Drogba scores a hat-trick in 1st MLS start for Montreal Impact

Not a bad day out for Didier Drogba, whose three goals gave the Impact all three points on a memorable evening in Montreal.

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