- A sensational hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Man Utd beat Tottenham 3-2 in a thrilling Premier League clash.
- Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury with a bang, scoring from 25 yards and adding another after Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot in the second half.
- Harry Maguire’s own goal seemed to have handed the Red Devils a point, but then the 37-year-old Portuguese striker rose highest to head in a corner and throw Old Trafford into frenzy.
- The crowd erupted at the conclusion of a game that had started off frenetic and never let up.
- Even though Ronaldo’s early attempt touched Eric Dier in the hand, his pleas for a penalty were denied, and he would soon be celebrating a fantastic opening.
- When Raphael Varane passed to Fred in the 12th minute, the veteran gathered the ball and arrowed a magnificent 25-yard shot past Hugo Lloris. Fred had been patient in the attack until that point.
- As the tension mounted at Old Trafford, Paul Pogba sent a looping attempt just wide of the Spurs goal.
- It wasn’t just a one-way street. Patrice Hojbjerg’s effort was saved by the offside flag before Son Heung-min let Ben Davies through to score at the conclusion of a wonderful, flowing play.
- Dier’s header from a corner was pushed off the line by Diogo Dalot after Ronaldo had flicked a header wide.
- Dejan Kulusevski’s outstanding January purchase cut past Jadon Sancho and fired over a cross that Alex Telles fumbled as half-time neared.
- A penalty by Harry Kane in the 35th minute from Jon Moss was enough to equalise the match, but Spurs were only able to hold on for three minutes.
- After putting Sancho behind the Spurs defence, Nemanja Matic cut across for Ronaldo, who drilled the it past Lloris despite a Spurs offside shout. In the build-up, Sergio Reguilon had put Sancho onside, according to the VAR.
- Before half-time, Spurs pressed for a second equaliser, and the same style of play continued in the second half.
- On a quick United burst, Reguilon cut out a Sancho cross, and Son drove wide after a clever Kulusevski ball.
- Despite Ronaldo’s best efforts, Spurs were able to hold them off a second time.
- Reguilon’s cross was headed beyond his own goalie by United captain Maguire, with Cristian Romero lurking behind him in an offside position, by Antonio Conte’s side all night.
- An apparent goad from the Argentina international followed Maguire’s equaliser, but he wasn’t delighted for long.
- When Matt Doherty failed to meet a Telles corner with a thunderous header in front of the Stretford End, Ronaldo jinked away from Romero and leaped over him.
- When Victor Lindelof scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute, Manchester United were able to hang on for three crucial points.
