London, March 23:

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 34th goal of the season on Sunday in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over 10-man Liverpool in the Premier League.

Wes Brown and Nani also scored at Old Trafford for Man United, who lead the standings with 73 points. Liverpool, who played the entire second half a man down after Javier Mascherano was sent off for two yellow cards, stayed in fourth place with 59 points.

In a nervy opening first half, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo had chances before the Red Devils went ahead. Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina almost palmed the ball into his own goal in the 33rd minute and fumbled again a minute later to allow United to take the lead.

Rushing out to punch away a cross from Rooney, Reina was beaten to the ball by Brown, who headed it over the line.

Ronaldo scored his 25th Premier League goal in the 79th, just moments after Reina pushed another of his attempts on to the crossbar. The Portugal winger headed in his goal from a corner by Nani.

United made it 3-0 in the 81st through Nani, who played a one-two with Rooney before shooting into the corner.

On Saturday, Newcastle won for the first time since Kevin Keegan returned as manager, defeating visiting Fulham 2-0 behind goals by Mark Viduka and Michael Owen.

Also, it was: Tottenham 2, Portsmouth 0; Blackburn 3, Wigan 1; Aston Villa 0, Sunderland 1; Bolton 0, Manchester City 0; Middlesbrough 1, Derby 0; and Reading 2, Birmingham 1; and Everton 1, West Ham 1.