Source: Telegraph
Cristiano Ronaldo magic sends Manchester United five points clear
The records are tumbling, the lead is growing and Cristiano Ronaldo is undergoing a renaissance, returning to the kind of form that made him the best player in the world last year. With Ronaldo in fine fettle up front and Edwin van der Sar having to go back to October to remember the last time he conceded a goal, the five-point led at the top of the league looks even more ominous this morning.[LNB]Van der Sar beat the league record, previously set by Steve Death in 1979, for conceding a goal having now gone 18 hours 42 minutes with conceding.[LNB]This was the 12th straight Premier League clean sheet uncharted territory - and with Rio Ferdinand back United look even more robust at the back.[LNB]'The main credit for the record must go to Edwin with the composure and experience he brings because we've had to change the back four so many times,' Ferguson said. 'Vidic has been an absolute warrior, they've all played their part.' Ronaldo had something of a subdued first half of the season, by his globe-conquering standards at least, but he is now back to his best. He scored the penalty that won the game and gave the kind of strutting display that left defenders in his imperious wake.[LNB]'I'm very happy with my season but the most important thing is the team,' he said. 'We are top of the league and the lads are playing well. Sure, I've scored a few important goals, but I just need to carry on.' Still, while Everton's attacking efforts foundered pretty feebly on the twin rocks of Ferdinand and Vidic, their defence, organised by the mightily impressive Phil Jagielka, is fairly miserly itself. David Moyes' side had not lost since Dec 7 going nine games unbeaten and they obdurately refused to buckle against United's whirling attack. 'When you have teams by the throat you have to kill them off,' Ferguson said. 'We had them by the throat several times and didn't do that. We never put it to bed.' The winning goal was an uncharacteristic gift on Everton's part Michael Carrick, outstanding throughout, drove into the box and was caught by Mikel Arteta's trailing leg. Even Moyes had to concede it was a straightforward spot-kick. There was only going to be one man taking the penalty. Ronaldo stuttered in his run up and hit it pretty straight, Howard diving beyond it.[LNB] Carrick was superb, in the judgement and flight of his passing and in the way he closed Everton down. He should have been rewarded with a second penalty early in the second half when he was felled by Joleon Lescott. 'It was a clear penalty it was more of a penalty than the first one,' Ferguson said. 'But you're not going to get two penalties in a game, are you?' Still, United had chances aplenty from open play. Tim Howard twice saved expertly from the hyperactive Carlos Tevez and twice denied Park Ji-sung from awkward angles. When Ronaldo's toe poke caught him on his heels, the ball came back off the inside of the post. Ronaldo's exuberant scoop, which was chested and volleyed wide by Carrick, was emblematic of United's attacking verve and invention.[LNB]It was all fought out in full-blooded fervour. The brothers Neville, rival captains, barely looked each other in the eye as they shook hands before kick off and from the moment Vidic had his mouth bloodied by the back of Marouane Fellaini's head to Victor Anichebe's late contretemps with Wes Brown, there was no doubting the intensity of commitment. Both Fellaini and Tim Cahill were playing through injuries and with a crucial FA Cup replay against Liverpool coming up Wednesday, Moyes should be commended for not resting either of them. Everton have an extraordinary team ethic.[LNB] However, they never looked like threatening Van der Sar's record and while Jagielka and Joelon Lescott's heroics should invite the closer attentions of Fabio Capello when he announces his squad to face Spain next week, Moyes must hope he can get some attacking recruits in before tomorrow 5pm deadline. Only Mikel Arteta's late drive, blocked by Carrick, would have brought a flutter of nerves to Ferguson's stomach.[LNB] United are only getting stronger. While Gary Neville picked up a slight muscle strain, Wes Brown is back and Ferguson had the luxury of giving in-form Ryan Giggs most of the game off. Partice Evra and Wayne Rooney could be back next week and with Liverpool and Chelsea playing each other today guaranteeing dropped points from one of United's title rivals the path towards an 11th title is clearing.[LNB]
