Ronaldo's goal lifts United to top Sunday, March 16, 2008
Manchester United took over the Premier League top place from Arsenal after Saturday's 1-0 win at Derby County thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal.
Ronaldo struck in the game's only goal, and his 22nd in the league, in the 76th minute to deny bottom-placed Derby a sensational draw.
United have 67 points from 29 matches, beating Arsenal on goal difference who tied Middlesbrough 1-1 later in the evening.
Arsenal looked set for a rare home defeat but Kolo Toure's header only four minutes from time forced their fourth league draw in a row.
Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere gave the visitors a shock lead after 25 minutes when he converted Tuncay Sanli's superb cross.
Chelsea's dogged pursuit of leaders continued with a 1-0 victory at Sunderland, who were left firmly in the relegation zone, while Liverpool also kept on course for fourth place after coming from behind to beat Reading 2-1 at Anfield.
It was the fifth successive league win for Rafa Benitez's men.
Teenage striker Freddie Sears headed home the winner to help West Ham beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Upton Park, but Aston Villa's fading European hopes suffered a 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth as both sides ended up with 10 men.
Defending champions were made to work hard at Derby County, who reacted to a 6-1 drubbing by Chelsea with admirable resistance against the league's giants.
United were unable to convert a host of chances although they were in clear domination for the first half-hour.
Ryan Giggs headed over Park Ji-Sung's cross after only 59 seconds and Ronaldo, playing alongside Wayne Rooney up front, hit the post from 12 yards before curling a shot which was denied by former United teammate Roy Carroll.
Ben Foster, making his debut in the United goal, then had the chance to show his class, making two brilliant consecutive saves from Kenny Miller to deny Derby the lead.
And it was left to Ronaldo for the breakthrough when he did well to steer Rooney's cross home with the ball at a difficult height.
