Cristiano Ronaldo scores two more

Man Utd 2-0 Portsmouth

CRISTIANO Ronaldo kept up his incredible scoring streak as United regained top spot in the Premier League at the expense of Portsmouth.

The Portuguese star scored a brace to take his tally up to 27 for the Reds in all competitions this season.

Having broken free down the left to finish past David James after 10 minutes, Ronaldo blasted home a trademark free-kick just three minutes later to put United in command.

However United are much more than a one-man team and with Paul Scholes back to full fitness they have plenty of impressive options.

With England manager Fabio Capello looking on they took the game by the scruff of the neck inside the first quarter.

United made the breakthrough early after an incisive break which dismantled Portsmouth - and the visitors never recovered.

Nani showed superb vision to pick out Ronaldo and he took full advantage with a cool finish.

It did not take Ronaldo long to add to his tally, either, with James stranded as a magnificent 25-yard free-kick whistled into the top corner in the 13th minute.

Ronaldo then turned provider in the 20th minute when he set up Wayne Rooney but his chip was cleanly taken by James.

Ronaldo almost scored from a free-kick four minutes later, only for James to deflect his effort to safety before Brown thumped a close range shot over the bar.

United kept up the pace and Patrice Evra strode forward in the 27th minute but James made a good parry.

Portsmouth again found themselves on the back foot four minutes later when Scholes picked out Ronaldo with a good through-ball.

However Glen Johnson read the situation well and made a timely interception.

Rooney should then have made it 3-0 to United but contrived to miskick in front of goal.

Such was United’s dominance at this stage he could afford a wry smile at fluffing the chance.

Scholes looked as though he had never been away by spraying some precise passes around the pitch.

United started the second half where they had left off and James did well to push away a header from Rio Ferdinand in the 51st minute following a corner from Nani.

Rooney was wasteful in the 55th minute when he intercepted a sloppy back pass from Sol Campbell - the United striker lofted the ball up in the air but did not put enough weight on it and James was able to make the save.

Nani was looking lively and tried to release Rooney three minutes later but he had strayed offside.

Portsmouth were having a little more more possession at this stage but were finding United difficult to break down.

Ronaldo should have completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute but scuffed his effort wide after Rooney had won the ball off Campbell.

Rooney was putting in a hard shift and cut inside three minutes later, only send a shot into James’ arms.

Nani almost got his reward for a promising display in the 72nd minute but James stood up and made the block.

The Portuguese winger was intent on seeing his name on the scoresheet but rattled a shot over the bar in the 82nd minute.

Then substitutes Carlos Tevez and Anderson both went close as United regained their place at the top of the table ahead of Arsenal.

Portsmouth assistant manager Tony Adams:
"United were exceptional, especially in the first 45 minutes. From our point of view, we didn't play that well and we didn't keep the ball.

"We didn't turn up in the first half but we did get into them more in the second half.

"Their substitutes bench is phenomenal and it's a difficult place to come when you're not playing well yourselves.

"Our players will grow and they will learn from this. We need to get back on track because we have a tough game against Chelsea at the weekend."

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Scholes (Anderson 62), Carrick, Park, Ronaldo (Hargreaves 73), Rooney (Tevez 73).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, O'Shea.

Goals: Ronaldo 10, 13.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin (Hreidarsson 46), Pamarot, Lauren (Mvuemba 46), Davis, Diarra, Kranjcar, Baros (Hughes 78), Mwaruwari.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Pedro Mendes.

Booked: Pamarot.

Att: 75,415

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).