The talented Cristiano Ronaldo netted two goals for Manchester United as it beat Everton 2-1 in English soccer's Premier League to maintain pressure on first-place Arsenal.
Indeed, Ronaldo converted a penalty kick in the 88th minute to give United a ninth straight victory at its Old Trafford stadium, ending Everton's 13-game unbeaten run.
Defending champion Manchester United moves to 42 points from 18 matches, one point behind Arsenal. Chelsea, which is at Blackburn later today, has 34 points from 17 games, ahead of Manchester City because of a superior goal difference. Everton, in sixth spot, has 30 points.
Ronaldo got the opening goal today in the 22nd minute after collecting a pass from argentine star Carlos Tevez. The Portugal winger stepped past a challenge from Lee Carsley before firing a shot past ex- United goalkeeper Tim Howard.
We can say that Everton tied the game five minutes later when Tim Cahill rose above Patrice Evra to head into the net from a cross by Steven Pienaar.
United pressed after halftime, with Tevez and Anderson both testing Howard. Striker Wayne Rooney hit a 20-yard effort which just cleared the bar.
The exciting clash appeared set for a draw until Pienaar tripped Ryan Giggs in the penalty area with two minutes remaining. Ronaldo scored from the spot-kick for his 16th goal of the season.
