MANCHESTER, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Manchester United beat Fulham 2-0 on Monday to reclaim second place in the English Premier League.
Ronaldo, who finished second to AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka for European Golden Ball award on Sunday, scored in the 10th and 58th minutes at Old Trafford to increase his season total to 13 goals in 11 games. It also gave him six in his last four appearances against Fulham.
United's 10th victory of the season gave it 33 points from 15 matches, moving it back in front of Chelsea and Liverpool -- both of which won over the weekend -- and three points behind Arsenal.
Arsenal, which is unbeaten with 11 wins and three draws, could move six points ahead with a victory at Newcastle on Wednesday in a rescheduled match.
Monday's loss left 14th-placed Fulham two points above the relegation zone.
Wayne Rooney returned after missing three matches for United -- as well as two England -- with an ankle injury and partnered Carlos Tevez in attack.
United took only 10 minutes to go ahead when Fulham midfielder Steven Davis, attempting to a clear a corner, headed it to Nemanja Vidic who set up an unmarked Ronaldo for a 12-meter volley.
As the home side maintained the early possession, Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi twice was forced into dramatic saves to thwart Tevez.
Nieme's United counterpart, Edwin van der Sar, likewise made a diving save against his former club to deny Danny Murphy, and Shefki Kuqi headed wide four minutes before halftime.
Ronaldo added the second in the 58th minute when he got ahead of Fulham defender Aaron Hughes to meet a cross from John O'Shea and converted with a downward header.
Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez responded by inserting former United striker David Healy for Clint Dempsey to field two strikers.
Ronaldo appeared certain to score a third with 12 minutes remaining when he appeared to get past Niemi. But he went down under the goalkeeper's challenge only to be shown the yellow card for a dive.
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