Manchester United are back in third place after a dazzling display at home to Stoke City on Saturday.
The Reds were always on top in the whole of the game, and five super goals explained their dominance on the field.

The gates of flood

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring inside three minutes with a stunning 35 yards free-kick and clinched his 100th Man United goal of his career.. Stoke managed to maintain the 1-0 deficit until the 45th minute. Ronaldo again set up Carrick who finished up the good work with a wonderful strike to double Manchester’s lead just before half time.

The Champions had learned from their mistakes against Hull City and from their defeat against Arsenal the week before, and even without Ferdinand in defence or Rooney in front, the team fulfilled its mission.

Berbatov added a third goal four minutes into the second half and with the game looking to be settled for the Reds, Fergie decided to bring on debutant strikers Danny Welbeck and Manucho. This proved to be a perfect decision as both partnered together before Welbeck fired in a powerful breathtaking shot to increase the margin 8 minutes from time.

Stoke were desperate for the final whistle to deliver them from this nightmare while Manchester showed them no mercy as they continued to attack.

88 minutes had gone on under the clock but there was still time for the titleholders to crush their opponents. Cristiano Ronaldo scored once again from the free-kick to reach his 101st goal as a Red Devil player and seal Manchester United’s emphatic 5-0 victory.

Stoke City might have been brave against Liverpool and Arsenal, but not this time against the defending Champions. It was rather the world footballer of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo, who had the first and final word.

Written by: Angela Asante