FULL TIME: Super Ronaldo puts United on way to comfortable win over Hammers (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

FULL TIME: Super Ronaldo puts United on way to comfortable win over Hammers

2:40pm Saturday 3rd May 2008 in

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Manchester United 4
West Ham 1
(Barclays Premier League)

MANCHESTER United moved to within one victory of retaining the Premier League title with a comfortable win over West Ham at Old Trafford this afternoon.

A Cristiano Ronaldo brace - taking his season's tally to 40 - and a belter from former Hammer Carlos Tevez put the Red Devils in a commanding three-goal lead inside 25 minutes.

Dean Ashton pulled one back for the Irons with a spectacular overhead kick from Bobby Zamora's flighted pass three minutes later.

And, when Nani was sent off for a head-butt on skipper Lucas Neill on 38 minutes, it briefly looked as though the Hammers could take advantage.

But Michael Carrick's deflected 25-yard drive around the hour mark wrapped up the points for the hosts, who now need to beat Wigan on the final day of the season next week to clinch the title.

The Hammers meanwhile, need three points at home to Aston Villa to ensure they finish the season in tenth place.

West Ham: Green, West Ham: Green, Pantsil, Tomkins, Neill, McCartney, Noble, Parker, Mullins (Sears 75), Boa Morte (Solano 52), Ashton (Cole 56), Zamora. Unused subs: Walker, Collison.