Man United 2 Blackburn 1: Ronaldo lets fly to see off Rovers

22 February 2009 11:07
Cristiano Ronaldo opened up a potentially decisive eight-point margin at the top of the Premier League after a typically controversial 90 minutes for the World Player of the Year.[LNB]Ronaldo's free-kick winner on the hour was magical, with even manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitting he did not think his superstar could score from such an acute angle with so many bodies protecting the Blackburn[LNB]goal.[LNB]But 75,000 inside Old Trafford had earlier seen the flipside to the No 7's genius. A petulant kick at David Dunn in the 56th minute could have seen him cautioned by a stricter referee than Howard Webb, and that would have meant red instead of yellow when he was caught diving on the edge of the penalty area two minutes later.[LNB]Lethal finish: Cristiano Ronaldo makes it 2-1 at Old Trafford[LNB][LNB]  MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]Manchester United v Blackburn: How the game unfolded[LNB]BLACKBURN NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1[LNB]Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0[LNB]Bolton 2 West Ham 1[LNB]Middlesbrough 0 Wigan 0[LNB]Stoke 2 Portsmouth 2[LNB] Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce implied Ronaldo should not have been on the field when he made his decisive strike. 'You will have to ask Howard Webb that - if he saw it [the kick at Dunn],' said the Blackburn boss.[LNB]'The surroundings create an intimidating atmosphere and that affects everyone, including officials.' Ferguson was happy to come out fighting for his match-winner.[LNB]'Sending-off? That would have been absolutely ridiculous,' he said. 'It is only because it's Ronaldo that people will make a meal of it. He flicked a leg at Dunn and the referee gave him a warning. That's it. It happens a lot in the game, you can't have a booking every time. It was no more than a flick.'[LNB] Level best: Scorer Roque Santa Cruz celebrates his equaliser with El-Hadji Diouf[LNB]United[LNB]'s victory, achieved despite conceding their first League goal in 1,334 minutes - since November - equalled a Premier League record of 12 home wins in a row. But it was undoubtedly the hardest-earned of the dozen, Blackburn levelling through Roque Santa Cruz after United's opener from Wayne Rooney, and Morten Gamst Pedersen having a loud penalty shout turned down.[LNB]The rewards for three points could be massive, though. If Manchester City[LNB]beat second-placed Liverpool[LNB]at Anfield today, most right-minded people will think a third consecutive League title is already on the way to Old Trafford.[LNB] Rising high: Cristiano Ronaldo goes up for a header with team-mate Jonny Evans [LNB]'We weren't at our best but getting results like this is what, hopefully, wins titles,' said Ferguson. 'It is a lesson to us that you can't afford to take anything for granted, though. Teams at the bottom like Blackburn are fighting for their lives and we have to fight for our lives as well in every game.'[LNB]With United so far clear, Ferguson's biggest concern is finding a centre-half pairing for Tuesday's Champions League clash against Inter Milan. Jonny Evans limped off with an ankle injury to join Gary Neville and Wes Brown on the injured list, while Nemanja Vidic is suspended. Ferguson hopes sixth-choice John O'Shea recovers from a minor knock to partner Rio Ferdinand.[LNB][LNB] High and mighty: Jonny Evans wins a header for United[LNB]United gave Edwin van der Sar a rare rest which meant he could not set a new European record for clean sheets. But it seemed normal Old Trafford service when Rooney, on his first start for six weeks following a hamstring injury, scored for his fourth League game running when Nani's clever cross deflected off Ryan Nelsen into his path.[LNB]Poor Tomas Kuszczak then managed to do in 32 minutes what Van der Sar had not in three months - let in a goal. The Pole was largely to blame, rushing out and colliding with Rio Ferdinand, which allowed Santa Cruz to sidefoot home.[LNB]Evans headed in a Nani corner right on half-time but the goal was mysteriously ruled out for Ronaldo's challenge on Nelsen as the ball reached Evans.[LNB] In the wars: Blackburn's Stephen Warnock and Ronaldo[LNB] [LNB]'The equaliser gave Blackburn new resolve,' acknowledged Ferguson. And the visitors, who remain in the bottom three despite improvements since Allardyce replaced Paul Ince, could have snatched the lead when Nelsen hit a post from 12 yards and El-Hadji Diouf sent the rebound straight at Kuszczak.[LNB]Then Ronaldo took centre stage. He flicked out at Dunn in a routine midfield battle but Ferguson was correct - a booking would have been harsh. Less savoury was the winger's reaction when Gael Givet came across to challenge. He flew in the air and was about the only person inside Old Trafford surprised that Webb showed him a yellow.[LNB] How's that for starters?: Wayne Rooney breaks the deadlock at old Trafford[LNB]Ronaldo's sense of injustice worked to United's benefit, however. When Patrice Evra was fouled by Keith Andrews on the left-hand fringe of the area, Ferguson thought the Portuguese star was too optimistic to attempt a shot. 'I thought there were too many bodies blocking the way. But he hit it with such speed and bend,' purred Sir Alex after Ronaldo's 15th goal of the season.[LNB]There was one more controversy. Rafael put his hands on Pedersen's shoulder and the Norwegian went flying in the box. 'It has to be pretty blatant to get a penalty at Old Trafford - we all know that,' raged Allardyce, who confronted his pal Ferguson by the touchline. 'Pedersen should have been booked for diving,' countered Ferguson.[LNB]A splendid joust, and those killjoys who wanted Ronaldo off the field for the mildest of fouls will surely be outvoted by those who marvelled at his magical winner. [LNB]  MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]Manchester United v Blackburn: How the game unfolded[LNB]BLACKBURN NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 1[LNB]Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0[LNB]Bolton 2 West Ham 1[LNB]Middlesbrough 0 Wigan 0[LNB]Stoke 2 Portsmouth 2[LNB][LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail