Solskjaer Survives Man Utd’s First of Three-game Hurdles

• Palace stun Man City at Etihad *Brighton fight back to hold Reds at Anfield

Cristiano Ronaldo yesterday showed why he remains an idol to Manchester United’s fans as he brilliantly powered the Red Devils past Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 to give respite to under-fire manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer in North London.

The Norwegian gaffer has escaped the first of three ultimatum given to him to shape up or ship out after penultimate weekend’s 5-0 humiliation of United at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo provided a brilliant goal of his own as well as a stylish assist for Edinson Cavani, with substitute Marcus Rashford also netting to offer Solskjaer some much-needed respite.

Elsewhere, Wilfried Zaha became the first player to score 50 top-flight goals for Crystal Palace as 10-man Manchester City suffered a shock 0-2 defeat at Etihad Stadium.

Zaha struck after just six minutes when Conor Gallagher robbed Aymeric Laporte inside his own half before Gallagher wrapped up the points when he fired home two minutes from time.

Laporte was red-carded by referee Andre Marriner in first-half stoppage time when he committed a professional foul by bringing down Zaha 35 yards from the City goal.

Even a man down, the hosts remained a goal threat and Gabriel Jesus thought he had levelled when he turned home Phil Foden’s superb far-post cross, only for video assistant referee Lee Mason to rule the England forward was offside in the build-up.

At Anfield, Brighton came from two goals down to secure a deserved point in 2-2 draw and deny Liverpool victory in an incident-packed game.

Captain Jordan Henderson fired the Reds ahead from 18 yards moments after Alisson had denied Solly March at the other end following Leandro Trossard’s defence-splitting pass.

Yves Bissouma, making his first start since 19 September after recovering from a knee injury, then had an effort tipped on to the post before Sadio Mane headed Liverpool into a 2-0 lead after a cross by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, on for the injured Naby Keita.

Brighton’s comeback started through Enock Mwepu’s first Premier League goal, a stunning attempt from 25 yards which deceived Alisson.

Graham Potter’s side were impressive and they equalised when Trossard slotted home after an assist by former Liverpool player Adam Lallana.

In an entertaining game, Mane and Mohamed Salah both found the back of the net either side of half-time, but both attempts were ruled out for handball and offside respectively.