EPL: Spurs can’t cope with Ronaldo’s brilliance

A vintage Cristiano Ronaldo performance helped Manchester United seal a crucial 3-2 victory over Spurs and keep them in the top four race.

The 37-year-old scored the 59th hat-trick of his professional career to steer Manchester United into the top four.

However, they will move back to fifth if Arsenal manage to claim all three points against Leicester on Sunday evening.

Ronaldo makes an impact

Ronaldo missed out on Manchester United’s trip to Etihad last weekend because of a hip injury.

He made an immediate impact upon his return as he curled in a magnificent long-ranger, a strike reminiscent of the ones he used to score in his peak mid-2000 years, to put Manchester United ahead in the 12th minute.

Tottenham, who are in pursuit of a top-four spot as well, did not surrender the match’s control despite conceding an early lead.

Spurs show resilience

They pushed for an equalizer, and soon they reaped the rewards for their persistence.

Ben Davies thought he had drawn the scores level when he fired a Heung Min-Son pass past David de Gea, but the offside flag went up.

Eric Dier saw his header getting cleared inches before the goal-line by Diogo Dalot.

Spurs kept on banging on United’s door, and a goal for the visitors seemed imminent.

They got the desired breakthrough right after the half-hour mark when Alex Telles failed to take his hand away from the path of a Dejan Kulusevski cross.

Harry Kane kept his cool and calmly converted from the spot to bring his side back into the game.

However, the parity was short-lived as United scored another goal through Ronaldo and regained their lead.

Sancho gets into the act

Jadon Sancho, who has seemingly found his feet at United in recent matches, squared the ball through a crowd of defenders and found Ronaldo inside the box.

The veteran wasted no time launching a ferocious strike that had enough power to beat Hugo Lloris at the Tottenham goal.

United seemed vulnerable to the wave of Spurs attacks in the second half. In the 61^st minute, Son missed the goal by inches, failing to make the most of a brilliant Kulusevski pass.

Manchester United tried to hit on the counter, but it was the visitors again, who looked more likely to score the next goal of the match.

And that they did!

In a continuation of his series of high profile errors recently, the England international unwillingly guided the ball into his own net trying to clear a Sergio Reguillon cross.

Ronaldo settles it

But, Ronaldo refused to settle for a draw.

He leaped up high to meet an Alex Telles corner and redirected it into the Spurs net.

The away side, despite their heartiest efforts, had no answer to United’s third goal.