Ronaldo double keeps Man Utd on Arsenal's tail <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo's double ensured Manchester United overcame a spirited Everton to move back to within one point of leaders Arsenal at the head of Premier League table. Sir Alex Ferguson's side appeared destined for a frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford after Tim Cahill had cancelled out Ronaldo's 22nd-minute opening goal. But a clumsy challenge from Everton's South African midfielder Steven Pienaar sent United captain Ryan Giggs crashing to the ground inside the visitors area with just three minutes remaining and Ronaldo kept his nerve to clinch the points from the penalty spot. The goal brought relief to Ferguson's side who had failed to make steady second-half pressure tell against an Everton side who had not been beaten in their 13 previous outings. But Ronaldo's goals - his 15th and 16th of the season - once again proved the difference and ensured Ferguson's side remain close on the heels of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal ahead of the next round of holiday fixtures. Ferguson had spoken out last week against the rash of bad challenges that have marred recent Premiership games and the manager can have had no complaint about the flurry of yellow cards that dotted a scrappy first-half. With both teams abrasively testing each other out for weakness - and Everton quickly exposing the inexperienced United right-back Danny Simpson - the game was notable more for a series of niggly personal battles before Ronaldo injected the first bit of quality. The United winger darted around England defender Joleon Lescott before sending a low cross towards the near post that was dabbed delicately goalwards by Wayne Rooney and parried by Everton keeper Tim Howard before Carlos Tevez sent the rebound wide. Tevez, who has been outstanding in recent weeks, had earlier volleyed the first real opportunity of the afternoon high over Howard's bar and would spurn at least two more clear opportunities to score. But with the Argentina star unable to take advantage of a routine chance, it was Ronaldo who broke the deadlock with a superb curling shot created out of nothing in the 22nd minute. There seemed nowhere for the Portugese to go when he was confronted by two Everton defenders after collecting Anderson's pass but a neat sidestep created a space and the winger's left-foot shot found the top corner for his tenth league goal of the season. Everton's outstanding recent run meant they were never likely to lose heart at falling behind to the champions. And their response was as quick as it was impressive with Pienaar delivering a dipping cross from United's problem right hand flank towards Cahill, who out-jumped Patrice Evra to head the equaliser just five minutes later. Rooney was denied against his former club by Lescott's goal-line clearance but United did little else during the first half to suggest they would recover to reduce Arsenal's lead. A half-time re-organisation breathed fresh life into United's attacking play but they were unable to break down Everton's resilient defence until Pienaar wafted a lazy leg into the path of the onrushing Giggs and United were handed a welcome lifeline.</div>
