Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Clinical Ronaldo hits hat-trick as Manchester United edge Spurs 3-2

The win moves Manchester United two points above Arsenal and back into fourth place on the table.

• March 12, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo [Photo credit: Flipboard]

Cristiano Ronaldo answered all the questions about his continuing value to Manchester United with a superb hat-trick to secure a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in an entertaining Premier League contest on Saturday.

This follows six days after doubts were raised about his injury absence for the Manchester derby and at the end of a week marked by tabloid speculation over his relationship with interim manager, Ralf Rangnick.

The 37-year-old delivered a reminder of just why Manchester United chose to bring him back to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo put Manchester United ahead in the 12th minute with a spectacular long-range blast from over 20 metres out after he had collected a clever flick from Fred.

But a Harry Kane penalty brought Tottenham level in the 35th, after a cross from Dejan Kulusevski had struck Alex Telles’ arm.

Three minutes later, the Portugal forward restored United’s advantage, slotting home after Jadon Sancho broke the offside trap and set up Ronaldo with a low cross.

Tottenham restored parity in the 72nd with an own goal by United captain Harry Maguire who slid in to inadvertently divert a low cross from Sergio Reguilon past David De Gea.

But Ronaldo, who had twice tested keeper, Hugo Lloris, after the break, settled the contest with a powerful header from an Alex Telles corner. 

The five-times Ballon d’Or winner headed the winner nine minutes from time before he was promptly taken off to ecstatic cheers.

It was the 807th goal of his career, laying claim to professional football’s all-time leading scorer record.

With the whole stadium chanting ‘Viva Ronaldo’, the atmosphere at Old Trafford, which has endured a disappointing season, was back to the heady days of September.

The result moves Manchester United two points above Arsenal and back into fourth place, although the Gunners have four games in hand starting with Sunday’s home match against Leicester City.

(Reuters/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Adebo Ogundoyin

States

School Abduction: Oyo Assembly backs Gov Makinde’s call for international investigation 

The lawmaker cautioned the public and the Nigerian Senate against misinterpreting the purpose of the state governor’s call for an international investigation.

Minister of Foriegn Affairs Yusuf Tuggar

Politics

Tuggar group rejects Bauchi APC governorship candidate Mohammed Abubakar

He dismissed Mr Abubakar’s declaration as a governorship candidate, alleging that there were no governorship primaries in the state.

The Spanish team after the semi-final match

Hot news Home top

Oyarzabal, Porro score as Spain beat France to reach World Cup final 

Spain will face the winner of the second semi-final match between England and Argentina on Sunday. 

PenCom

Economy

PenCom cuts pension approvals to 48 hours, recovers N36 billion arrears

She said the 48-hour approval timeline had become a mandatory service standard binding on all PFAs.

Released Oyo hostages

Heading 5

Freed Oyo pupils, teachers reunite with families

The pupils and teachers reunited with their families on Tuesday.

Olatubosun Oluyede

NationWide

DHQ engages military veterans on welfare, national service

He said the welfare of retired personnel remained one of the top priorities of the DHQ under the current leadership.