Cristiano Ronaldo's personal goalspree this season continued as he scored twice to help overturn an early deficit as Manchester United beat Premier League rivals Tottenham 3-1.
LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo's personal goalspree this season continued as he scored twice to help overturn an early deficit as Manchester United beat Premier League rivals Tottenham 3-1 to advance into the last 16 of the FA Cup at Old Trafford here Sunday.
Spurs, who earlier in the week thrashed Arsenal 5-1 in a north London derby to book their place in the League Cup final, had to play the final 21 minutes down to 10 men after defender Michael Dawson was sent-off for deliberate handball in the incident that led to Ronaldo's goal from the penalty spot that made it 2-1.
Tottenham took the lead in the 24th minute when Aaron Lennon moved past Patrice Evra and squared the ball to Robbie Keane who scored from close range as United conceded for the first time in five matches.
But the hosts were level before half-time when veteran Wales wing Ryan Giggs shielded the ball from Young-Pyo Lee and so allowed space for Carlos Tevez to shoot beyond Spurs keeper Radek Cerny.
Jermaine Jenas had a chance to restore the Londoners' lead before the break but his shot was well-saved by Edwin van der Sar.
The Dutch keeper then played a key role in United's second goal. His long punt downfield saw the ball travel from one box to the other and Dawson, under pressure from Wayne Rooney, pushed the ball away with his hand.
Referee Peter Walton awarded a penalty and showed Dawson the red card before Portugal winger Ronaldo scored after sending Cerny the wrong way.
Tottenham almost had an equaliser when Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov hit the post six minutes from time with van der Sar beaten.
But Ronaldo then sealed victory with his 25th goal in 21 starts when a deflected shot squirmed under Cerny's body in the 88th minute.
Premier League Manchester City are in fourth round action later Sunday away to Championship Sheffield United.
In Sunday's early kick-off fourth round tie Cardiff City won 2-1 away to Hereford.
Kevin McNaughton' goal put the Championship side on the stroke of half-time and it was he who then won a penalty midway through the second-half which allowed Steve Thompson to double Cardiff's lead.
Theo Robinson scored for Hereford, from the third tier of English league football, with 13 minutes left but it was too late to rescue the match.
The draw for the fifth round is due to take place on Monday.
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