By Ben James

London - Manchester United will celebrate Christmas on top of the English Premiership after they cruised to a 3-0 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Paul Scholes volleyed the other goal as United moved on to 47 points, five points clear of champions Chelsea, who needed an injury-time winner to clinch a 3-2 victory at Wigan Athletic.

United were frustrated by Villa for the first half but once Ronaldo had opened the scoring on 58 minutes the result was never in doubt.

A stunning volley from Scholes doubled United's lead and Ronaldo rounded off the scoring five minutes from time as Sir Alex Ferguson's side bounced back from their defeat by West Ham last weekend.

"It's a big result after last week's disappointment when we controlled a game we should have won," Ferguson said.

"But today the players got to grips with the game, played some great football and showed determination. Ronaldo was unbelievable, he was a revelation today and he is as good as anyone in the country."

Chelsea looked to be easing to victory at Wigan when two Frank Lampard goals put them 2-0 up but Emile Heskey pulled one back on the stroke of half-time and then equalised.

But as they did last season at Wigan, they pinched victory in injury time when Arjen Robben squeezed his shot under Chris Kirkland to keep them in touch with United.

A total of 32 goals rained in on Saturday as several teams let loose, nowhere more so than at the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal crushed Blackburn Rovers 6-2.

Rovers actually took the lead but that prompted an onslaught from Arsenal, for whom Robin van Persie scored twice to keep them in fourth place.

Arsene Wenger said his side were perhaps flattered by the margin of their victory.

"Both teams showed great football going forward and the score was too big for them because at 3-2 we were wobbling slightly. But overall we played some great football and showed marvellous technique."

Liverpool remain a point better off in third after they beat bottom side Watford 2-0 through goals by Craig Bellamy and Xabi Alonso.

Nicolas Anelka scored both goals against his former side as Bolton won 2-0 at Manchester City to stay fifth while Portsmouth came from behind to beat Sheffield United 3-1.

Newcastle United continued their resurgence with a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur while Everton won 2-0 at Reading. Middlesbrough moved out of the bottom three with a 2-0 win over struggling Charlton Athletic, who lost their sixth match in eight.

And West Ham United remain in the relegation zone despite a 0-0 draw at Fulham in the other match. // © 2006 DPA




Publication date: 24 December 2006   

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