"Manchester United claimed sole control of the top spot in the Premiership standings with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bolton at home. Cristiano Ronaldo added another two goals to his tally, his 10th brace in United colours, as the defending champions secured a three point lead over Arsenal at the top of the table, and a further two points clear of Chelsea.
United showed their intent right from the whistle with the returning Louis Saha and Carlos Tevez combining on the edge of the area with the Ricardo Gardner being called into action to turn the ball away for a corner.
Just one minute later though and United had the lead they had been threatening as Nani's corner whipped into the area was poorly dealt with by the Bolton back four allowing the ball to fall kindly for Ronaldo. The Portugal midfielder needed no second invitation and fired his volley home from eight yards out. Bolton, comfortably outplayed for the first 45 minutes, had their best chance of the half shortly after as Kevin Davies connected with a Danny Guthrie cross to force a brilliant save from Tomasz Kuszczak at the far post.
United hit back immediately though with Ronaldo hitting yet another outstanding free kick into the top right hand corner of the net from 25 yards out after he was brought down by Abdoulaye Meite. Nemanja Vidic almost added a third for the hosts 10 minutes before the interval as he got a head to Nani's corner before seeing it turned away at the right hand post but a loitering Guthrie.
United appeared to have picked up exactly where they left off at the re-start with Nani forcing a brilliant save at the bottom right hand corner of the net from a free kick on the edge of the area. But Bolton seemed to find a second gear after enjoyed a period of dominance where they were unlucky not to get themselves on the scoredboard.
El-Hadji Diouf looked to have got Bolton right back into the match when he curled his free kick past a flailing Kuszczak but the referee had not blown his whistle and the goal was disallowed. A poor second attempt from Diouf, in exactly the same place as the first, was easily read by the keeper but it revitalised Bolton, who proceeded to dominate for the next 20 minutes.
Subsitute Nicky Hunt tried his luck from 35 yards out forcing an outstanding save from Kuszczak, who tipped the ball just over his cross bar, while Gavin McCann also saw his long-range shot turned behind by the brilliant Pole.
Ronaldo came close to securing his hat-trick on a number of occasions, with his shot in the 67th minute forcing a great reaction save from Ali Al Habsi. Nani also enjoyed a number of chances late in the second half but Al Habsi managed to protect his goal with a series of commendable saves to keep the scoreline respectable for Bolton. Nevertheless, the title is now surely United's to lose as they entertain both Liverpool and Arsenal at home, while travelling away only to Chelsea. "
Pippa Davis / Eurosport
United showed their intent right from the whistle with the returning Louis Saha and Carlos Tevez combining on the edge of the area with the Ricardo Gardner being called into action to turn the ball away for a corner.
Just one minute later though and United had the lead they had been threatening as Nani's corner whipped into the area was poorly dealt with by the Bolton back four allowing the ball to fall kindly for Ronaldo. The Portugal midfielder needed no second invitation and fired his volley home from eight yards out. Bolton, comfortably outplayed for the first 45 minutes, had their best chance of the half shortly after as Kevin Davies connected with a Danny Guthrie cross to force a brilliant save from Tomasz Kuszczak at the far post.
United hit back immediately though with Ronaldo hitting yet another outstanding free kick into the top right hand corner of the net from 25 yards out after he was brought down by Abdoulaye Meite. Nemanja Vidic almost added a third for the hosts 10 minutes before the interval as he got a head to Nani's corner before seeing it turned away at the right hand post but a loitering Guthrie.
United appeared to have picked up exactly where they left off at the re-start with Nani forcing a brilliant save at the bottom right hand corner of the net from a free kick on the edge of the area. But Bolton seemed to find a second gear after enjoyed a period of dominance where they were unlucky not to get themselves on the scoredboard.
El-Hadji Diouf looked to have got Bolton right back into the match when he curled his free kick past a flailing Kuszczak but the referee had not blown his whistle and the goal was disallowed. A poor second attempt from Diouf, in exactly the same place as the first, was easily read by the keeper but it revitalised Bolton, who proceeded to dominate for the next 20 minutes.
Subsitute Nicky Hunt tried his luck from 35 yards out forcing an outstanding save from Kuszczak, who tipped the ball just over his cross bar, while Gavin McCann also saw his long-range shot turned behind by the brilliant Pole.
Ronaldo came close to securing his hat-trick on a number of occasions, with his shot in the 67th minute forcing a great reaction save from Ali Al Habsi. Nani also enjoyed a number of chances late in the second half but Al Habsi managed to protect his goal with a series of commendable saves to keep the scoreline respectable for Bolton. Nevertheless, the title is now surely United's to lose as they entertain both Liverpool and Arsenal at home, while travelling away only to Chelsea. "
Pippa Davis / Eurosport
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