United waltz to Kiev win
Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice in a leisurely win
Also In The News
|
K7, out now. |  |
Tuesday, 23, Oct 2007 10:37
Manchester United have continued to dominate Champions League group F after they recorded a third straight win with a 4-2 victory over Dynamo Kiev.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side never had to move much out of first gear as they secured the points to make the second half of their group-stage campaign little more than a formality.
Defender Rio Ferdinand set the Red Devils on their way after just nine minutes as he directed a powerful header into the Ukrainians' net before they had a chance to establish any sort of rhythm.
The hosts seemed unsure how to react to falling behind so early on and, while they struggled to reformulate their tactics, United punished them with an irresistible counter-attack.
The visitors' pacy forwards swept upfield, swapping short, crisp passes, before Cristiano Ronaldo and Wes Brown combined to present Wayne Rooney with a clear sight of goal which he duly exploited to the full.
Two down with just over a quarter of an hour gone Kiev looked understandably dispirited as Ronaldo continued to torment their fragile defence.
But against the run of play Kiev seemed to have stumbled on a possible route back into the game as Diogo Rincon climbed highest to head home and halve the deficit on 33 minutes.
The home support's hopes of a comeback flickered only briefly however as Ronaldo met a cross from Ryan Giggs to restore their two-goal cushion before the break.
The Portuguese winger slotted home a second-half penalty to secure the result and, although Ismael Bangoura pulled one back towards the end with a piercing low drive, United were able to amble through to the final whistle.