United beat Blackburn

LONDON – Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Manchester United after a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.

The champions seized their opportunity at Old Trafford with Ronaldo heading home in the 34th minute and doubling his tally with a right-footed shot in the 36th. Blackburn, managed by former United stalwart Mark Hughes, came close when Christopher Samba hit the bar in the first half but had David Dunn sent off for a second yellow card in the 53rd minute.The first league fixture of Alex Ferguson’s 22nd year as manager left United, without injured Wayne Rooney, alone on 30 points from 13 matches.Manchester City played to a goalless draw at Portsmouth.Chelsea were held 1-1 by Everton at Stamford Bridge.”The decisive moments were a fantastic header from Ronaldo and a quick goal after it, that killed them really,” Ferguson told Sky Sports television.Chelsea had all three points in the bag until a brilliant overhead kick by Tim Cahill in the 89th minute left goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, standing in for the injured Petr Cech, with no chance.Didier Drogba had put Chelsea in front in the 70th minute when he nodded in at the near post off a corner by Ivory Coast compatriot and substitute Salomon Kalou.Tottenham Hotspur were Sunday’s high scorers, thrashing Wigan Athletic 4-0 at White Hart Lane with Jermaine Jenas netting twice in the first half.In the day’s early match, Gabriel Agbonlahor cleared off the line and then scored a late winner two minutes later to give Aston Villa a 2-1 victory in the West Midlands derby at Birmingham City.Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough drew 0-0.Nampa-ReutersBlackburn, managed by former United stalwart Mark Hughes, came close when Christopher Samba hit the bar in the first half but had David Dunn sent off for a second yellow card in the 53rd minute.The first league fixture of Alex Ferguson’s 22nd year as manager left United, without injured Wayne Rooney, alone on 30 points from 13 matches.Manchester City played to a goalless draw at Portsmouth.Chelsea were held 1-1 by Everton at Stamford Bridge.”The decisive moments were a fantastic header from Ronaldo and a quick goal after it, that killed them really,” Ferguson told Sky Sports television.Chelsea had all three points in the bag until a brilliant overhead kick by Tim Cahill in the 89th minute left goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, standing in for the injured Petr Cech, with no chance.Didier Drogba had put Chelsea in front in the 70th minute when he nodded in at the near post off a corner by Ivory Coast compatriot and substitute Salomon Kalou.Tottenham Hotspur were Sunday’s high scorers, thrashing Wigan Athletic 4-0 at White Hart Lane with Jermaine Jenas netting twice in the first half.In the day’s early match, Gabriel Agbonlahor cleared off the line and then scored a late winner two minutes later to give Aston Villa a 2-1 victory in the West Midlands derby at Birmingham City.Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough drew 0-0.Nampa-Reuters