Ronaldo brace powers United clear Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two second-half goals to help Manchester United beat Wigan 3-1 yesterday and extend its lead atop the English Premier League to four points over Chelsea, which drew 2-2 with Reading.
Man United has 50 points after 20 games and Chelsea 46.
Second-half substitute Ronaldo headed in a cross from Paul Scholes in the 46th minute to score first. Wigan goalkeeper Kris Kirkland saved Ronaldo's penalty kick in the 50th, but the Portuguese winger shot the rebound in for his 10th league goal of the season, making the score 2-0.
"I had a feeling he would change the game," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "Cristiano is in such great form, it was an obvious move. He lit up the crowd and got us two goals, which is just what we were looking for."
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored his fifth league goal in the 59th minute, while Leighton Baines scored on a penalty kick in injury time for Wigan.
"There was a lot of elation when we heard the result from the Chelsea match, but I don't think we're going to get carried away," Ferguson said. "They maintained their work ethic and kept the passing going. There was nobody trying to overdo it and there was no showboating and that's a good sign."
