Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick lifts Manchester United into top four

In a season of turmoil and turnover, the Manchester United faithful had a rare moment to cherish on Saturday night at Old Trafford as the prodigal son – Cristiano Ronaldo – powered the Red Devils to victory against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham. After missing last weekend’s Manchester derby at the Etihad, the Portuguese superstar was on fine form against Spurs, scoring his 59th career hat-trick to give United a 3-2 victory and lift them into the top four positions in the Premier League.

Ronaldo had given United the lead twice in the first half, only for Tottenham to draw level on both occasions through Harry Kane and a Harry Maguire own goal. However, Ronaldo had the final word at the Theatre of Dreams, rising highest to meet Alex Telles’ corner in the 81st minute to score his 807th career goal and give United a precious three points over their top-four rivals.

It was a historic night for the five-time Ballon D’Or winner as his three strikes took him past Josef Bican’s all-time goalscoring record, placing the 37-year-old atop the overall list. Ronaldo’s first goal on 12 minutes was a moment of magic, with the number seven receiving the ball after a neat backheel from Fred and thundering a strike from 25 yards past an outstretched Hugo Lloris.

However, as has been the case throughout the season, United’s intensity wavered after going in front. Conte’s side slowly began to stamp their authority on the game, with Ben Davies scoring a goal from an off-side position before Diogo Dalot cleared a header off his goal-line from a corner. The deserved Tottenham equaliser eventually came in the 35th minute, as Harry Kane emphatically dispatched a penalty into the bottom corner after Telles had handled in the area. 

To their credit, United produced an immediate response, restoring their lead just three minutes later with Nemanja Matic releasing Jadon Sancho down the wing and the young Englishman setting up Ronaldo on a plate to make it 2-1. 

In the second half, Tottenham had the lion’s share of possession as they pushed for an equaliser, with Ralf Rangnick’s side happy to sit back and play on the counter. Son Heung-Min went close at the hour mark after being set up by Dejan Kulusevski, and the sustained pressure from Spurs finally resulted in another equaliser as Harry Maguire turned in Sergio Reguilon’s cross into his own net. United were in danger of letting another lead slip in the Premier League this season, but just as the hopes of a much-needed victory began to fade, Cristiano Ronaldo broke free in the Tottenham penalty area to complete his treble with a thundering header.

This win temporary lifts Ralf Rangnick’s side into the top four spots, pushing the Red Devils two points ahead of Arsenal, albeit with the Gunners having played four fewer league games than United.