Well – if the other Premier League greats got their three points each from the penalty spot – why wouldn’t the lads of Manchester United? Norwich were at least equal with the Red Devils at Carrow Road but Cristiano Ronaldo’s cunningness was what determined the outcome of the match – final score 0-1.Norwich are a yo-yo club. They go in and out of English elite year after year and this season also they are fighting for survival. With Norwich sitting last in the table, one could have expected for the Manchester side to collect three easy point. These were all but easy.3 – Cristiano Ronaldo is the third player to score for three different Man Utd managers (Solskjaer, Carrick, Rangnick) in a single season after James Hanson and Joe Spence both did so in 1926-27 (Chapman, Hilditch, Bamlett). Prolific. pic.twitter.com/Cx4xUfB9ic— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 11, 2021 In an overall slow match, United did not dominate. Rangnick’s philosophy was not evident, individual quality was what saved the guests from defeat or a disappointing draw. Statistically, it was an even clash where both teams had their chances.First palpable opportunity was seen in the 38th minute – Ronaldo picked up the ball, dribbled to the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a brilliant shot, but was thwarted by a decent save from Tim Krul.The Anfield cauldron is too much for Stevie G and his Villa, wobbly but lucky Chelsea win against LeedsFew minutes later, seconds before the half-time whistle, Harry Maguire won a header inside the box after a cross and steered it goalwards, but Krul produced another wonderful reflex save.Second half brought more intensity. In the 57th minute Teemu Pukki received an amazing defence-splitting low pass on the edge of the box and blasted the ball towards the roof of the net. De Gea guessed his intention and dived superbly to deny him with a remarkable save.After a lot of blocked shots, box-to-box battles and interceptions – 74th minute came. Max Aarons was penalised for holding Ronaldo inside the box, referee Darren England signaled a penalty for the visitors. Ronaldo was ruthless from the spot bringing Man United in front.Norwich tried bouncing back with a couple of promising shots. In the 78th minute Ozan Kabak shook off the attention of a defender and from mid-range let fly towards the left side of the goal, but de Gea was well positioned to make a comfortable save. Four minutes later, Billy Gilmour gathered a nice lofted pass just outside the box and attempted to put the ball into the middle of the goal, but his shot is deflected away by one of the defending players.Soon after, it was Kabak again. The Turk connected with the ball in the goal area box after the resulting free kick and shot towards the bottom right corner, but de Gea reacted magnificently.With these three points – Rangnick’s men jump to fifth place, overtaking Arsenal by a point.The German expert has his work cut out for him. It is obvious the Red Devils are frightening no one at the moment.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 16FridayBrentford – Watford 2-1 (0-1)/Jansson 84, Mbeumo 90+5 pen – Dennis 24/SaturdayMan.City – Wolverhampton 1-0 (0-0)/Sterling 66 pen/Liverpool – Aston Villa 1-0 (0-0)/Salah 65 pen/Chelsea – Leeds 3-2 (1-1)/Mount 42, Jorginho 58 pen, 90+4 pen – Raphinha 28 pen, Gelhardt 83/ Arsenal – Southampton 3-0 (2-0)/Lacazette 21, Odegaard 27, Gabriel 62/Norwich – Man.United 0-1 (0-0)/Ronaldo 75 pen/Sunday17:00: (3.80) Burnley (3.50) West Ham (2.10)17:00: (1.85) Leicester (3.70) Newcastle (4.60)19:30: (2.40) Crystal Palace (3.10) Everton (3.45)Brighton – Tottenham POSTPONED***odds are subject to change
