Inspired Ronaldo keeps United in control

LONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) Leaders Manchester United began their holiday fixtures with a resounding 3-0 victory at Aston Villa as the goals flowed in the Premier League today.

A double from an inspired Cristiano Ronaldo and a thumping Paul Scholes volley, all in the second half, maintained daylight between United and champions Chelsea who can cut the gap back to two points at Wigan Athletic later.

Liverpool remained in a distant third place at the Premier League's halfway point, 13 points behind United, after a routine 2-0 home victory over bottom club Watford while Arsenal stayed in the last Champions League spot with a 6-2 rout of free-falling Blackburn Rovers.

Arsenal were shocked into action after three minutes when Shabani Nonda scored a penalty, but the rampant Gunners replied three times before the break with Gilberto Silva, Alexandr Hleb and Emmanuel Adebayor's penalty.

Nonda scored again after the break as Rovers threatened a comeback only for Robin van Persie to end a cracking contest with a late double.

Wayne Rooney was left on the bench for United's trip to Villa Park having missed training because of a family bereavement, but his sidekick Ronaldo took centre stage.

The Portuguese cut through the Villa defence to break the deadlock after 59 minutes and then applied the killer third, either side of Scholes' thumping volley that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

''After 11 games in a row it was a good time to give (Rooney) a rest,'' United manager told Sky Sports.

''But Ronaldo was fantastic, he's having a great season for us,'' added Ferguson who celebrated the 2,000th goal under his command when Ronaldo scored the opener. ''Maybe I'll give him a bottle of wine.'' Before Chelsea kicked off at Wigan, the day had provided 26 league goals, and four of those came in the opening 34 minutes at St James Park where Newcastle United beat a Tottenham Hotspur side looking for a sixth straight win 3-1.

Keiron Dyer and the in-form striker Obafemi Martins gave the hosts a two-goal lead, Danny Murphy pulled one back for Spurs before Scott Parker struck again.

Nicolas Anelka scored both goals for Bolton Wanderers as they consolidated fifth place with a 2-0 victory at Manchester City, who had Joey Barton sent off late on.

Portsmouth, who are also flying high, came from behind to beat Sheffield United 3-1 and stay sixth. Everton striker Andy Johnson, accused of diving by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho last week, responded with a goal in Everton's 2-0 win at Reading.

Charlton Athletic completed a miserable week to increase the pressure on manager Les Reed.

Thrashed by Liverpool last week, beaten by fourth division Wycombe Wanderers in the League Cup on Tuesday, second-bottom Charlton went down 2-0 at Middlesbrough in the day's big relegation battle.

Charlton have now gone 24 away matches without a victory.

Middlesbrough's victory left West Ham United in the bottom three despite their battling 0-0 draw at Fulham. West Ham, without an away goal since August, had Paul Konchesky sent off five minutes from time.

Reuters SY RN2347