Ronaldo inspires United to reclaim top spot

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer scored twice to put Manchester United back on top of the Premiership with a 2-0 home win against Newcastle but it was yet another inspired display by Cristiano Ronaldo that stole the show.

Portugal winger Ronaldo has been outstanding this season since returning from the World Cup where he was vilified for his part in team-mate Wayne Rooney's dismissal during England's quarter-final exit.

But despite once again being the subject of taunts from the visiting supporters Sunday, the youngster systematically dismantled Newcastle allowing the Old Trafford club to move ahead of champions Chelsea.

The failure of Jose Mourinho's side to beat Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge 24 hours earlier had opened the door for the home side to reclaim top spot from the London club.

Yet despite the incentive dangling in front of them, Sir Alex Ferguson's side initially struggled to take control against an insipid Newcastle, whose ambition extended no further than a policy of containment.

But while the visitors' determined defence may have stifled United's early efforts, it proved hopelessly inadequate once Ronaldo placed his imprint on the game. Quiet for the opening 16 minutes, the young Portugese star's first meaningful contribution forced a corner from which Nemaja Vidic almost brought the opener with a powerful header that Newcastle keeper Steve Harper did well to tip over.

Then ten minutes later, Ronaldo played a pivotal role in a sweeping 80-yard break that culminated in Darren Fletcher striking a vicious first time drive against the post, this time with Harper well beaten.

With Newcastle offering nothing by way of response, it was inevitable that United would eventually find a way through. Equally inevitable was Ronaldo's role as the architect of Solksjaer's 41st minute opening goal.

A short-corner exchanged with Patrice Evra, on after just 32 minutes for the injured Gabriel Heinze, allowed the winger to drift across the face of the Newcastle penalty area, ghosting past two defenders before striking a low shot against the foot of the post with Solksjaer on hand to tap in the rebound.

It was the injury-plagued forward's first league goal at Old Trafford in over three years, but the Norwegian doubled his haul just three minutes after the restart when he fortuitously deflected Vidic's shot beyond the unfortunate Harper.

Ronaldo's display was deserving of a goal but the former Sporting Lisbon man missed a glorious opportunity just 60 seconds later when Fletcher was again denied, this time by Harper, and the Portugese slammed the loose ball against the cross bar.

Moments later, the winger struck the post, this time after cleverly creating a shooting opportunity but the winger was not alone in his wastefulness with team-mate Paul Scholes guilty of spurning a great chance to make it three in the closing stages.

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