Premier League: Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to help Manchester United beat relegation side Norwich in their Premier League game at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick rescues Man United with a 3-2 win over Norwich (Reuters Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Manchester United beat Norwich 3-2 at Old Trafford
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 2nd hat-trick in five games
- Man United are in fifth in the Premier League table
Manchester United are back to winning ways in the Premier League as they beat relegation side Norwich 3-2 at Old Trafford on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick grabbed all the headlines for the Red Devils.
Man United came into this game with just one win since mid-February and no clean sheets in their last four games, and with Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba operating as a double pivot, gave some hope to Norwich in their fight for survival in the English top-flight.
Dean Smith’s men have only scored 20 goals this season but were able to create a few chances, and get two goals at Old Trafford. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Norwich defender Ben Gibson gave the ball away to Anthony Elanga, who passed it to Ronaldo for an easy tap-in.
The number 7 added to his tally from a corner by Alex Telles after the half-hour mark. But Man United sank the two-goal lead as Kieran Dowell headed the cross by Teemu Pukki into the back of the net right on half-time and the Finland striker equalised seven minutes into the second half, beating the offside trap and firing past David De Gea.
The atmosphere in the stadium was already tense due to fans’ protests against the Glazers, and another stalemate added fuel to the fire. Ronaldo stepped up to the plate to deliver a massive 25-yard free-kick into the back of the net to get the hosts back in the driving seat in the 76th minute of the game.
This was the Portuguese’s second hat-trick in five games, keeping Ralf Rangnick’s top-four hopes alive after Tottenham Hotspur lost 1-0 to Brighton earlier today. The 37-year-old’s future at the club is still in the air amidst the speculation of him leaving at the end of the season. But the six-time Ballon d’Or winner has yet again proven to drag his side to a much-needed win in their hopes for a top-four finish.
Norwich City are seven points away from safety, sitting at the bottom of the table, with their chances of survival looking more and more grim, with six more games to play.
Manchester United will go against Liverpool on Tuesday at Anfield, which will be a major test as the Reds beat Manchester City to book their place in the FA Cup final.