Cristiano Ronaldo powers Manchester United 3-2 over Norwich

Sports Desk, Apr 16 (EFE).- Cristiano Ronaldo’s 60th career hat trick provided all the scoring Manchester United would need Saturday to prevail 3-2 against last-place Norwich City and keep the Red Devils in the fight for fourth place in the Premier League.

The 36-year-old Portuguese striker scored in the 7th minute and added a second goal in the 32nd to give the hosts what looked like a commanding lead until Kieran Dowell halved the deficit for the Canaries in first-half stoppage time.

Dowell assisted on Teemu Pukki’s equalizer in the 52nd minute and only a fine stop by goalkeeper David De Gea stopped Milot Rashica from putting the visitors ahead four minutes later.

At the other end, Norwich’s Tim Krul dealt comfortably with a Ronaldo header.

United defender Diogo Dalot denied Rashica in the 70th, six minutes before Ronaldo bested Krul with a free kick for the eventual match winner.

Cristiano boosted his Premier League goals for the season to 15, five fewer than scoring leader Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.

United improved to 54 points, the same as Arsenal, and sit in fifth place, one above the Gunners, thanks to scoring more goals.

Arsenal’s losing streak stretched to three matches on Saturday with a 1-0 away defeat to Southampton, but Mikel Arteta’s men have a game in hand compared with both United and the team currently in fourth place, Tottenham Hotspur, who are on 57 points.

Spurs were flat Saturday at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, who came away with all 3 points thanks to Leandro Trossard’s goal in the final minute of regulation.

Unbeaten in their last three, Brighton climbed to 10th. EFE

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