Cristiano Ronaldo was hailed as a footballing “genius” after the Portugal winger eclipsed George Best as the highest-scoring winger in Manchester United's history and helped edge the Red Devils closer to another English title. Ronaldo took his United scoring tally for the season to a remarkable 33 goals after hitting the net twice as Sir Alex Ferguson's side defeated Bolton 2-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday. United, who entertain fourth-placed Liverpool on Sunday, are now clear favourites to retain the Premier League title after opening up a three-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal with eight games to play. Ronaldo went past Best's record of 32 goals in a single season—set in 1967-68—with two fabulous first-half strikes, an opportunist finish from 12 yards followed by a stunning 30-yard free-kick. Ferguson was glowing in his praise of Ronaldo, who he made captain for the night in the absence of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney. “He didn't make a big issue of it,” said Ferguson when asked how Ronaldo reacted to being handed the captain's armband. “He looks comfortable with the responsibility that comes with the role. It was a marvellous second goal.” Ferguson had bemoaned his side's "charitable" finishing before this game yet he need not have worried. After seeing his side struggle to overcome doomed Derby County four days earlier and having been eliminated from the FA Cup the previous weekend, Ferguson had demanded his players rediscover their touch in front of goal. The message was heeded by Ronaldo as he notched his 23rd and 24th league goals of the campaign, but Ferguson insisted the title race remained open even though his side are in pole position. “The important thing was that we had the opportunity and the incentive to go three points clear of Arsenal, our nearest pursuers,” the Scot said. “It’s nip and tuck now. I think it's going to go to the wire. Chelsea will be key because they have got us and Arsenal at home. It's a lead, it's not a significant lead but it’s a lead nonetheless. With eight games to go the team who plays with the most consistency now will win it.” Ferguson made seven changes from the side who struggled to beat Derby and revealed that he had been looking at options ahead of Sunday's meeting with Liverpool. Gerard Pique came in for the injured Rio Ferdinand while Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were all rested.
Chelsea squander chance in thriller: Chelsea, meanwhile, lost ground in the Premier League title race as Avram Grant's side blew the lead three times in a dramatic 4-4 draw at Tottenham. The Blues had only themselves to blame for failing to keep pace with leaders Manchester United after leading 3-1 and then 4-3 with five minutes to play in one of the games of the season at White Hart Lane. Didier Drogba opened the scoring early on only for Jonathan Woodgate to equalise. Michael Essien and Joe Cole put Chelsea in charge but Dimitar Berbatov and Tom Huddlestone levelled for Spurs. Cole's second goal looked to have won it but there was a sting in the tail when Robbie Keane equalised two minutes from time with a curling shot from 25 yards. Instead of sitting level with Arsenal and within touching distance of United, Grant's team are now five points off top-spot and two behind Arsenal, who they face on Sunday. This could be the night Chelsea regret most if they don't reclaim the title. Memories of their League Cup final defeat to Spurs were still raw for Chelsea but the chance to maintain their pursuit of the title was more important than settling old scores. The temperature of an already fiery clash rose when Ashley Cole caught Alan Hutton with a nasty lunge. The tackle drew an angry response from both benches, with Spurs demanding a red card, while Grant had to be restrained after trying to berate Hutton for exaggerating the foul.
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