Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo's ice-cool temperament after the Portuguese winger's nerveless late penalty winner against Everton kept Manchester United's title challenge on track.

Ronaldo sealed the 2-1 victory with a spot-kick three minutes from the final whistle after his first half goal had been cancelled out by Tim Cahill's equaliser.

The double took his goal-haul to 16 for the season and United manager Ferguson admitted Ronaldo's contribution was crucial to keeping his side within one point of leaders Arsenal after the opening round of the four-game holiday programme.

"The thing is the boy has got everything and we are expecting goals from him all the time," said the manager. "I don't know if he made a mistake, he was absolutely perfect.

"It was a marvellous performance from him. The others played their part of course, we had a good team spirit and we kept going but I think everyone probably expected that. But it's a very good team performance and I'm pleased.

"Ronaldo has always had that great confidence and temperament. He came here with that and he is never going to lose that. That's a great quality he has. He has composed himself for the penalty kick. He knows it is an important one and he has taken his time and won the game for us."

Ferguson hopes to recall Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves for the trip to face Sunderland on Wednesday but expects Tomasz Kuszczak to continue to deputise for injured keeper Edwin van der Sar for at least two more games.

But while he insists the win over Everton was crucial to their hopes of overhauling Arsenal, the Scot warned the race will not be decided during the Christmas period.

"You can't say it is a two-horse race now," he added. "December is a very important month and if we get through the Christmas period, we have two very difficult away games at Sunderland and West Ham and Birmingham at home, and are still with Arsenal we have a good chance.

"We are hoping Hargreaves and Rio will be back for Sunderland. Edwin will be out for another couple of games and we will change things around. We have Nani, Saha and Park back in the squad, but there won't be a lot of changes."

Everton manager David Moyes was frustrated at Steven Pienaar's clumsy foul on Ryan Giggs that gave United the chance to seal victory but he insisted the performance was further proof his side are closing the gap on the top four.

"It was a moment of madness from Steven, one of those moments in time when you think that can't have possibly happened," he said.

"There is no explanation. I have not asked Steven about it - I have told him.

"I cannot hide the fact it was a poor decision but if I say that, I also have to say how well he has done for us over the last two months."

Despite his frustration, Moyes insisted Everton had shown they are progressing. "We showed a lot of confidence at times against the champions but in the end we all know the reasons why it didn't go for us.

"We have to praise the players and it doesn't really feel as though we have lost. I feel we played well enough to have got something out of the game.

"Our next bit is to beat those top four teams if we can do and I think today we are starting to show signs. We have now lost to Manchester United twice in the last minute. You have to give Manchester United credit because they keep going. But maybe that's a sign Everton are getting closer and I hope that's the case."

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