Ronaldo roars United top

Ronaldo rejoices after his stunning second

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Cristiano Ronaldo was at his effervescent best as his brace ensured Manchester United defeated Portsmouth 2-0 to climb back to the summit of the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men were in frightening form at Old Trafford, and showed little evidence of feeling the pressure after Arsenal's victory over Newcastle United on Tuesday evening had seen them slip to second.

Ronaldo was the star of the show for United, opening the scoring just 10 minutes into the encounter as he coolly finished under the exposed David James after a clever one-two with Nani had put him through on goal.

The Red Devils continued to pile on the pressure, and their second came courtesy of a quite sensational free-kick from Ronaldo - whose vicious strike thundered into the top corner to take United back top and his season's goal tally to a staggering 27.

With England manager Fabio Capello looking on United took the game by the scruff of the neck inside the first quarter.

United made the breakthrough in the 10th minute after an incisive break which dismantled Portsmouth - and the visitors never recovered.

Driving seat

Nani showed superb vision to pick out Ronaldo and he took full advantage with a cool finish.

That put United firmly in the driving seat early in the match.

It did not take Ronaldo long to add to his tally, either, with James stranded as a magnificent 25-yard free-kick whistled past his left shoulder in the 13th minute.

Ronaldo then turned provider in the 20th minute when he set up Wayne Rooney but his chip was cleanly taken by James.

Ronaldo almost scored from an identical free-kick four minutes later, only for James to deflect his effort to safety before Wes Brown thumped a close-range shot over the bar.

United kept up the pace and Patrice Evra strode forward in the 27th minute but James made a good parry.

Portsmouth again found themselves on the back foot four minutes later when Scholes picked out Ronaldo with a good through-ball.

However Glen Johnson read the situation well and made a timely interception.

Rooney should then have made it 3-0 to United but contrived to miskick in front of goal.

Nani then went close in the 42nd minute after cutting inside, only to see his effort go wide of the target.

United started the second half where they had left off and James did well to push away a header from Rio Ferdinand in the 51st minute following a corner from Nani.

Wasteful

Rooney was wasteful in the 55th minute when he intercepted a sloppy back pass from Sol Campbell - the United striker lofted the ball up in the air but did not put enough weight on it and James was able to make the save.

Portsmouth were having a little more more possession at this stage but were finding United difficult to break down.

Ronaldo should have completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute but scuffed his effort wide after Rooney had won the ball off Campbell.

Rooney was putting in a hard shift and cut inside three minutes later, only send a shot into James' arms.

Nani almost got his reward for a promising display in the 72nd minute but James stood up and made the block.

The Portuguese winger was intent on seeing his name on the scoresheet but rattled a shot over the bar in the 82nd minute.

Then substitutes Carlos Tevez and Anderson both went close as United regained their place at the top of the table ahead of Arsenal.