Ron just prefect

Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo after the winger fired the Reds to a vital victory over Everton on Sunday afternoon.

The 22-year-old put United 1-0 up on 22 minutes with an unstoppable left-footed strike. Tim Chaill drew the visitors level five minutes later with a bullet header from Steven Pienaar's cross.

Ronaldo fired the winner with two minutes remaining, converting from the spot after Ryan Giggs had been upended by Pienaar. Sir Alex was delighted with the victory and hailed Ronaldo's overall contribution.

"I don't think he ever made a mistake - he was absolutely perfect, it was a marvellous performance from him," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"The first goal was marvellous. The boy really has got everything and we're expecting goals from him all the time.

"The temperament and confidence he's always shown as a kid surfaces at times like that [when he stepped up to take the penalty]. He composed himself and took the spot-kick very well.

"Of course, others played their part and you could see what a great team spirit we have by the way we never stopped going. It's a very important result and it was a good team performance in the second half."

The United manager was unhappy with his side's defending for Everton's equaliser, but praised the players' response after the break.

"I was very disappointed with their goal. We should have closed the cross down sooner," said the Reds' boss. "We spoke about Tim Cahill before the game because we know he has good ability in the air and he did us at the back post.

"It was very disappointing particularly after making such a great start with Cristiano's goal. It derailed us really until the second half.

"My experience of this team is never to give up on them because they've scored so many important goals late on. Time was running out, but thankfully we got the penalty through Ryan. It was inexperienced defending from the young lad [Steven Pienaar], he stuck a leg out and thankfully we got the penalty.

"With Arsenal winning late on yesterday it was an important result for us to make sure we keep close to them. It starts the Christmas period off very well for us."

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