As expected by the public, Cristiano Ronaldo had his name on the scoring sheet when Manchester United hosted the Merseyside Blues Everton on Saturday evening.

The Red Devils were threatening in attack with Park and Tevez piercing the midfield, but Ronaldo looked more like the one to break the deadlock. The Portuguese Superstar was very lively in the left wing, creating good chances and having a couple of opportunities for himself, but Tim Howard was alert enough to clear his line.

Then came the defining moment for Cristiano Ronaldo to put Manchester United ahead at the 44th minute: Arteta brought down Michael Carrick in the box; the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Fresh from scoring two goals in midweek on the same ground, Ronaldo kept his cool and slaughtered the ball past Tim Howard to inscribe his 11th league goal in as many as 20 appearances for the Reds this season.

As Van der Sar stretched his record of 12 clean sheets in a row, Ronaldo’s 44th minute penalty proved enough to separate the two sides and give Manchester United their 8th 1-0 Premiership win and 7th consecutive victory since their controversial goalless draw away to Spurs earlier in December.

Written by: Angela Asante