Ronaldo double downs Fulham
Ronaldo's rich vein of goalscoring form continues
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Monday, 03, Dec 2007 11:50
Manchester United maintained the pressure on leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.
Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo has eight league strikes in 11 appearances this term after netting both the goals for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
The opening stages saw the home side swarm forward with menacing intent and, after Carlos Tevez had twice gone close, Ronaldo grabbed the lead on ten minutes.
A flick-on from defender Nemanja Vidic floated invitingly across to the prolific 22-year-old who instinctively smashed a powerful volley past a helpless Antti Niemi and into the top corner.
However with the home support looking forward to an attacking exhibition studded with goals, United lost their rhythm after taking the lead.
Danny Murphy, whose Liverpool background proved predictably unpopular with the Stretford End, saw a curling shot drift narrowly wide as Fulham increasingly came into the game.
Shefki Kuqi snatched at a chance from a dangerous Simon Davies cross and it took a muscular header from Ronaldo to give his side a comfortable cushion on which to ride out the last third of the match.
Towards the end both Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha had opportunities to make the scoreline more convincing as United again found their stride.
The result leaves them three points off the Gunners having played a game more.