Boxing Day English Premiership Review Dec 26th

Cristiano Ronaldo made an instant impact off th bench to put Manchester United 4 points ahead on top of the league as Chelsea were drawn 2-2 at home to Reading.

Manchester United 3 Wigan 1

Despite second-placed Chelsea being held to a surprise 2-2 home draw by Reading in one of the early kick-offs, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rested a number of big names in his side’s 3-1 win over with Wigan Athletic.

One of those was Ronaldo but, after a goalless first half at Old Trafford, the wing wizard entered the fray. Barely a minute later, a bullet header from Paul Scholes’ corner gave United the lead. And four minutes after that, the Portugal star was taking a penalty after Park Ji-Sung was clipped by Gary Teale. It was a poor effort and Chris Kirkland saved, but Ronaldo was on hand to net the rebound. United went route one for their third, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer marking his first league start for almost two months by flashing home Wayne Rooney’s knockdown. Leighton Baines scored a stoppage-time consolation from the spot after Mikael Silvestre felled David Wright.

Chelsea 2 Reading 2

An own-goal by Michael Essien saw Chelsea drop crucial points as Reading twice came from behind to snatch a point at Stmford Bridge. After scoring late winners in their last two games, the champions this time put through their own net with five minutes remaining. Didier Drogba’s double - his 18th and 19th goals of the season, had looked like putting Chelsea a point clear of United - who kicked off against Wigan at 3pm. In a tight tussle, the Ivory Coast striker broke the deadlock seven minutes before half-time, holding off Marcus Hahnemann to nod in Frank Lampard’s corner. The visitors deservedly drew level when Leroy Lita stayed just onside and stooped to head in Glen Little’s cross. Drogba headed in Shaun Wright-Phillips’ cross 18 minutes from time but a mishit clearance from Ashley Cole struck team-mate Essien, leaving Hilario stranded and earning Reading a point.

Blackburn 1 Liverpool 0

Liverpool surrendered third place after missing a glut of chances against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. The home side ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Benni McCarthy’s 10th goal of the season, the South African turning in Morten Gamst Pedersen’s cross shortly after half-time. But goalkeeper Brad Friedel was the man of the match against his former club, inflicting the Reds’ first defeat in eight league games and boosting his own side’s survival hopes.

Watford 1 Arsenal 2

Arsenal took Liverpool's place after Robin van Persie inflicted another heartbreaking defeat on basement club Watford. The Gunners took the lead when stand-in skipper Gilberto added to his impressive goal tally this season by nodding in at the far post after Kolo Toure flicked on Tomas Rosicky’s corner.

But Watford refused to lie down and hit back four minutes later, Tommy Smith netting from close range - his first goal since rejoining the club at the end of August. Van Persie, though, added another picture-book strike to his collection, beating the Hornets offside trap out wide before cutting inside and curling an angled finish beyond Ben Foster to seal a 2-1 win.

Bolton 2 Newcastle 1

Bolton Wanderers came from behind to beat Newcastle United at the Reebok Stadium. Kieron Dyer netted for the second straight game to put Newcastle ahead but a Peter Ramage own goal and in-form Nicolas Anelka turned the game.

West Ham 1 Portsmouth 2

Portsmouth, meanwhile, saw Linvoy Primus score his first goals for exactly two years to inflict Alan Curbishley’s first defeat as West Ham United boss. The defender had not netted since Boxing Day 2004 but headed in Pedro Mendes’ 16th-minute corner to break his duck before nodding in the same player’s free-kick seven minutes before half-time. But the second of the early kick-offs finished 2-1 to Pompey after Teddy Sheringham came off the bench to set up a tense finish with a measured lob.

Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 1

The other 1pm start saw Tottenham Hotspur hold off an Aston Villa fightback to continue their impressive home record. Jermain Defoe celebrated his recall with both Spurs goals after twice being played in by the excellent Dimitar Berbatov. Villa skipper Gareth Barry pulled one back with nine minutes remaining but the home side held on for a 2-1 success.

Sheffield United 0 Manchester City 1

Manchester City bounced back from home defeats to Tottenham and Bolton with a 1-0 victory at Sheffield United, Stephen Ireland scoring the late winner.

Everton 0 Middlesbrough 0

In the final 3pm kick-off, Everton and Middlesbrough played out a goalless draw at Goodison Park.