Manchester United continued to maintain pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premiership table with an efficient performance in their 2-1 victory over Everton on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo had put United in the lead with close range strike in the 22nd minute but Everton fought back well to equalize through Tim Cahill five minutes later. However Ronaldo made sure that United won their six match in a row by converting from the penalty spot just 2 minutes from the final whistle.

A quiet opening few minutes saw Carlos Tevez come close to breaking the deadlock but his shot was narrowly deflected wide of the target. With United struggling to break down a dogged Everton defense, it required a piece of magic from Ronaldo to put United in the lead.

The Portuguese winger latched on to a pass by Tevez, raced past Lee Carsley before smashing a dipping shot past a rooted Tim Howard and into the net to score his first for the night. However it was not long before Everton were back on level terms through Tim Cahill who headed home Steven Pienaar cross from the left flank.

Both the teams ditched their defensive approach and United came very close to retaking the lead through Wayne Rooney, but though his lob managed to go over Howard, John Lescott cleared the ball off the line. The defender then went into action at the other end, his stinging shot saved brilliantly by Tomasz Kuszczak.

However Everton returned back into their shell in the second half as United went close through Anderson and Tevez with Howard pulling off great saves to keep his side in the hunt. With time ticking away, a moment of madness by Pienaar undid all the hard work put on by the Everton defense.

A driving run by Ryan Giggs found the Welshman in the penalty area and as he attempted to race past Pienaar, the Everton defender stuck out his leg with no hope of catching the ball and referee Howard Webb had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, which was converted coolly by Ronaldo to end Everton's 13 match unbeaten run in all competitions.