Boss hails Ronaldo winner

Cristiano Ronaldo’s winning strike against Blackburn was “fantastic”, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, who jumped to the defence of his Portuguese star when it was claimed he could have been sent off.

“He’s done it so many times before,” the boss said. “It was a fantastic strike. I think the fact that there were so many bodies in the box and in front of the ball, it gave the goalkeeper no chance. He hit it with such speed and bend on the ball that it was very difficult for [Paul Robinson]. It was a fantastic strike.”

The United boss also accused referee Howard Webb of inconsistency, having booked Ronaldo for diving but failing to dish out the same punishment for Morten Gamst Pedersen, who went down with ease under minimal contact from Rafael.

“He wasn’t fortunate to be on the pitch at all,” Sir Alex said, responding to Setanta’s claim that Ronalod should have been sent off. “The referee spoke to him when Ronaldo flicked out [on a challenge on David Dunn]. The boy kicked him, Ronaldo flicked out but it was no more than that. The referee thought it was fine and gave him a warning.

“You see it time and time again with Ronaldo, the press will make a meal of it. He has to live with that kind of examination. But it would have been a ridiculous sending off.

“Ronaldo got booked for diving, quite right. What did Pedersen do? It was an absolute dive, yet he’s not been booked. He either gives a penalty or he books Pedersen. It’s either or. It was nowhere near a penalty kick. Rafa came behind him, and his hand touched the Pedersen’s shoulder, and as soon as he felt it he immediately dives. I don’t understand why he doesn’t get a yellow card but Ronaldo does. It’s not right.”

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