Two more goals from Ronaldo helped United to a 3-1 victory over Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round.
Manchester United too strong for a 10-man Spurs
Two more goals from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Manchester United to a 3-1 victory over Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round. Spurs enjoyed the better of the chances in the first-half and took the lead on 24 minutes through Robbie Keane. Michael Dawson released Aaron Lennon down the right and the England winger's low cross to the back post was bundled home by Keane. United had struggled to break down a makeshift Spurs defence but they grabbed an equaliser seven minutes before the break. Dawson failed to deal with a high ball into the Spurs box and Giggs' lay off was dispatched easily past Radek Cerny by the Argentinean striker. Jermiane Jenas almost restored Spurs' lead just before half-time but his low drive was well kept out by a sprawling Edwin van der Sar. The game swung in United's favour on 69 minutes when Dawson, desperate to prevent Rooney from getting in on goal, knocked the ball behind with his arm - conceding a penalty and getting himself sent-off in the process. Ronaldo calmly dispatched the spot-kick and Spurs never again managed to threaten as much as they had in the first-half. Dimitar Berbatov forced Wes Brown to slice a cross against his own post, but Ronaldo put the result beyond doubt with a third two minutes from time. Cutting in from the left his scuffed effort seemed to pose no threat to Cerny until the keeper inexplicably allowed the ball to creep under his body and into the net.Bright Spurs start
Rooney and Ronaldo both had good early efforts for United but it was Tottenham who almost made the breakthrough through Berbatov. He got on the end of a corner from Lennon, only for Rooney to clear off the line and get a pat on the back from goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in the 16th minute. Tottenham, however, did go ahead in the 24th minute when Lennon skipped away from Patrice Evra. He delivered the ball into the area and Keane scored from close range. Spurs were looking dangerous on the counter attack and Berbatov picked out Lennon in the 32nd minute. As he was being shadowed by Wes Brown, Lennon tried his luck on goal but failed to test van der Sar. United stepped up the pace and Radek Cerny did well to tip over a shot from Ryan Giggs after 37 minutes. The equaliser came a minute later and Giggs played a crucial role in the build up. He held off the challenge of Young-Pyo Lee and that enabled Tevez to fire a shot into the corner beyond Cerny. Jenas should have regained the lead for Spurs in stoppage time when he was clean through. However he failed to get enough power on his effort and van der Sar was able to push it to safety. Tottenham came close to regaining their lead in the 47th minute when Evra slipped and let in the pacey Lennon. He raced forward and tried to chip van der Sar only for his effort to finish on the roof of the net. Jamie O'Hara then curled a 25-yard free kick wide before Jenas fluffed his lines again in the 55th minute. He had only van der Sar to beat but failed to test the Dutch goalkeeper with his effort.Scholes returns
Ferguson then decided a change was needed and Paul Scholes was introduced in the 65th minute. Making his first appearance in three months after a knee operation he was given a rousing ovation by the home fans when he replaced Carrick. Scholes was quickly into the action and released Tevez with a precise pass in the 67th minute but he fired a shot over the bar. The tie took a dramatic turn a minute later when Dawson was sent off for a hand ball in the area under pressure from Rooney. Ronaldo stepped and slotted the spot kick into the corner to put United 2-1 ahead with his 24th goal for the club. Howeve, Spurs almost drew level when Berbatov's effort in the 85th minute came back off the post after a good through ball from Steed Malbranque. Ronaldo got his second in the 88th minute when he got away from substitute Chris Gunter and his shot squirmed under Cerny's body, leaving the goalkeeper red-faced.| Manchester United | Team Statistics | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 3 | Goals | 1 |
| 1 | 1st Half Goals | 1 |
| 8 | Shots on Target | 3 |
| 10 | Shots off Target | 4 |
| 9 | Blocked Shots | 5 |
| 10 | Corners | 4 |
| 8 | Fouls | 8 |
| 1 | Offsides | 3 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 1 |
| 81.6 | Passing Success | 73 |
| 31 | Tackles | 24 |
| 80.6 | Tackles Success | 70.8 |
| 58.6 | Possession | 41.4 |
| 59 | Territorial Advantage | 41 |