Struggling Manchester United have managed only a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton in the Premier League but Frank Lampard’s Everton shone in beating Leeds 3-0.
Che Adams grabbed Southampton’s equaliser in the 48th minute in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture to cancel out the opener in the 21st by Jadon Sancho, who scored at Old Trafford for the first time since joining United in the off-season.
The latest setback for United came four days after a 1-1 draw at last-place Burnley and a week after getting eliminated from the FA Cup at Old Trafford at the hands of second-tier Middlesbrough.
United moved onto the same number of points as fourth-placed West Ham but remained outside the Champions League positions.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, hasn’t scored in 2022 – his last goal was against Burnley on December 30 – though he did have a goal ruled out for offside in the second half.
He also had a shot cleared away from near the goal-line after rounding the goalkeeper early in the first half.
Sancho’s goal was a tap-in at the far post from a cross by Marcus Rashford, who had been released by a fine pass from deep by Bruno Fernandes.
Inspired by Paul Pogba, United were much the better team in the first half but faded after the break, just as against Middlesbrough and Burnley.
And Adams made the hosts pay by stroking in a low finish off the far post after finding himself free on the left and played onside by Luke Shaw.
Elsewhere, Everton moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-0 win over Leeds in their first Premier League home match under Frank Lampard.
The Toffees went 2-0 up in the first half via headers from defenders Seamus Coleman (10th minute) and Michael Keane (23rd) before Anthony Gordon wrapped up the victory for Lampard’s men as he got the final touch to Richarlison’s 78th-minute strike.
For Brighton, Neal Maupay and Adam Webster were on target in a 2-0 victory at Watford, who’ve yet to score a goal under new manager Roy Hodgson.
Christian Eriksen got the biggest cheer of the day before Brentford were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace.
The Dane was introduced to the Bees supporters on the pitch ahead of kick-off, eight months to the day since his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 and, on the evidence of the bore draw that followed, his introduction can’t come quickly enough.