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BY DAVID SAFFER Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest goalscorer of all time according to FIFA records after his stunning hat-trick proved the difference in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

The record international (115) and Champions League (140) goal poacher nodded in the winner late on against Spurs, who twice hit back after Ronaldo had opened the scoring with a rocket howitzer then tap in set up by Jaydon Sancho.

The visitors scored through a Harry Maguire own goal and Harry Kane penalty.

Only Lionel Messi rivals Ronaldo’s prowess as a sharpshooter with 756 goals in the modern era.

Brazil legends Pele and Romario have reportedly scored over 1,000 career goals but amateur, unofficial and friendly matches are included in these statistics. Josef Bican according to the Czech FA has hit 821 goals but FIFA only recognise a tally of 805.

Manchester United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick told Sky Sports that Ronaldo “still has the quality”, Tottenham boss Antonio Conte noted that he was “a top, top player”.

Conte added that Ronaldo and Messi are the best players in the world in this era. “When you play against this type of player, they’re decisive,” he said.

Whilst Ronaldo and co battle for a Champions League spot Manchester City and Liverpool continue to battle it out for the title.

City dropped points at Crystal Palace in the Monday night match. Pep Guardiola’s charges dominated the game but lacked a cutting edge in an entertaining goalless draw.

Guardiola told Sky Sports: “We played to win the game, we created more, the way we played was amazing in a difficult stadium.”

Liverpool however were worthy 2-0 winners at Brighton for an eighth successive league win.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring in the first half before Mo Salah slotted home a second-half penalty after a handball by Yves Bissouma. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are now just four points adrift with a game in hand over Guardiola’s side.

Regarding recent signing Diaz, Reds boss Klopp told BBC MOTD: “He’s a top player. We have no groups in this team but a couple of the boys speak Spanish and Portuguese, they’ve taken him under their wing. The boy has settled as quick as any player, and that is helpful.”

Chelsea struck a late winner against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge to remain clear of the chasing pack for Champions League places.

Kai Havertz clinically finished in the 89th minute to seal the points. Havertz though was fortunate not to be red-carded for an elbow on Dan Burn earlier in the game.

Arsenal are in pole position to take the last top-four spot after a 2-0 win Leicester City at Emirates Stadium. Thomas Partey and Alexandre Lacazette struck for a fifth consecutive win.

The Gunners head United by a point but also have games in hand over the Old Trafford side.

West Ham are two points back after a 2-1 win against Aston Villa.

Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko and Pablo Forlans scored second half goals before Jacob Ramsey’s last minute consolation.

Conor Coady headed the winner for Wolves at struggling Everton to stay in the race for European spots. Frank Lampard’s team have games in hand in the fight to stay up but only goal difference keeps them out of the bottom three.

“We must keep our head up and the important thing now is to remain positive, he told BBC MOTD.

Brentford edged closer to safety with a crucial 2-0 win over Burnley courtesy of an Ivan Toney brace while Leeds United enjoyed a dramatic last ditch triumph over Norwich City at Elland Road.

Super sub Joe Gelhardt came off the bench deep into stoppage time to grab the winner from Raphinha’s cross. Leeds boss Jesse Marsch introduced the teenager immediately after Kenny McLean had equalised Rodrigo’s early goal. Raphinha had earlier hit woodwork twice as Leeds bossed the game.

Marsch told Sky Sports: “The crowd were fantastic and the performance brought them into the game. We have to fight for everything. It will make us stronger and we will keep pushing.”

Watford are battling away and enjoyed a superb 2-1 victory against Southampton at St Mary’s.

Cucho Hernandez struck twice only for Mohamed Elyounoussi to set up a tough second half.

The Hornets, Burnley and Norwich occupy the bottom places but with nine points separating 16th place Leeds and the Canaries there is everything to play for in the relegation run in. BY DAVID SAFFER Oakwood came from behind twice to knock HMH out of the Peter Morrison Cup on penalties in a titanic third round cup tie.

The tie of the round did not disappoint as a six-goal thriller ended 3-3 before the shoot-out drama.

HMH opened the scoring and led 2-1 through Oscar Wagner only for Felix Shalom to complete his treble to put Oakwood ahead in an exciting clash. Wagner duly bagged his hat-trick and almost hit a fourth late on. But the game had a grand finale, and with O’s 10-9 ahead, goalkeeper Jordan Sharifan made the crucial save to send the defending Premier League champions through.

Oakwood are out of the league title race but remain on track in two cup competitions as they are already through to the Cyril Anekstein Trophy semi-finals.

In other third round clashes London Athletico thumped Reich 6-0. Sharpshooter Zacki Doumou and Jamie Davila scored a brace. Rafi Rees and Aidan Raphael also hit the target in a resounding victory.

Boca Chillers defeated Leeds Maccabi by a solitary goal in a tight encounter, Oakwood Masters edged a close affair 4-3 against London Bears.

Premier pacesetters Hendon United Sports are still on course to win four consecutive Anekstein titles. Dovi Fehler (2) and Chaim Korman scored the goals in a quarter final win against NWL Azzurri.

“It was a tough against a very well organised team,” said Hendon’s David Garbacz.

Away from cup action Division One Azzuri have been in fine form and will now chase Mill Hill Dons, Borussia Jewdinese and Brook Farm Rovers in the race for promotion.

Dons defeated Jewdinese 4-3 in a huge top of the table battle.

Zach Cohen, Nick Phillips, Adam Lisberg and Joseph Reece scored for the hosts in a terrific clash that saw Dons jump into second spot. Grant Reingold, Zack Collins and Zac Brin struck for the visitors who have three games in hand over the second placed side.

Both teams however are looking at the results of Azurri who are nine points back from Dons having played three games less but with a better goal difference that could

Ronaldo rewrites FIFA records

BY DAVID SAFFER Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup.

Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley both bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, David Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali completed the rout in a mismatch of a tie.

Lions could have scored in the opening minute of the clash but soon opened the scoring and led 9-0 by half time.

Th e Division One team, though outclassed, battled away to the end.

Lions boss was lost for words at full time such was the display from his team who gave every respect to the opposition.

“I’m not really sure there’s anything to say, we are happy to make it through to the next round of the cup,” he commented.

Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors against League One outfi t North London Raiders.

Th e Premier side led early in the second half only for Raiders to equalise but struck two late goals to book a place in round Oakwood break HMH hearts in shoot-out drama three of the competition. Hendon now turn their attentions to the league as they travel to Oakwood A for a crucial top of the table clash on Sunday (10am).

Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league leaders last month when they won 2-0, a prove crucial. victory would move them to within a point Rovers dropped points in a 2-2 draw at of Hendon with a match in hand. FC East London Bees.

Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, Stoke Salmon continued their march to 10-man North London Galaxy made it a the title as they eased to a 6-2 triumph at three-way title race in the only Division One lowly Scrabble. clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. In Division Two, Geez Park Rangers are

Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy on track for promotion after defeating high rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Ja- flying Real Madreidel 4-2 while mid-table cob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away Milbrook Park Calcio won 3-0 at Hapoel win. Hampstead.

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in Elsewhere, there was a change at the foot the table by just one point after 10 matches, of the league with Brady FC winning 4-2 at third place Fairlop FC are fi ve points be- Qarabagel. hind with two games in hand. Zak Lewis, Max Kohler, Jack Brand and

Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. Leo Style moved Brady from bottom spot

“It was a fantastic performance in a with Oakwood Town defeating Temple Fortune B, who occupy last place in the table.

must-win game,” commented Galaxy player-manager Luke Lewis.

“We sat back and allowed Oakwood the ball, given the one-man advantage and looked to hit them on the counter attack with pace.

“Both goals came down the right-hand side. Leigh crossed the fi rst one into Cohen to fi nish, before slotting home himself. Up to fi rst we go.”

Th e Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple Fortune.

Faithfold B have played a game more than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at North London Raiders Masters.

Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who scored through leading scorer James Milletwith his 17th goal of the season.

Th e result was all the more remarkable as Temple were down to 11 players with ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder in the warm up.

“Th is was a fantastic win given the circumstances,” said delighted Fortune boss Simon Linden.

“We had a number of players out, Rebuck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked any more from the players. We wish Ben a speedy recovery.

“It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner. It’s a big win, one we will enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.”

He added, “Th is win marks 50 years as a football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and everyone associated with the club from day

Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup “It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner.”

one will enjoy.” Vale boss Jacob Emanuel was quick to wish Rebuck well following his injury. “First and most importantly, everyone at Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper a quick recovery, we hope to see him back on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he said. As for the defeat, Emanuel commented, “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you have, you can never account for unavailability or injury. Only fi ve of today’s team played in our recent win over FC Team, a lack of togetherness and poor individual

16-goal Maccabi London Lions PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER

Cristiano Ronaldo is the top FIFA PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK goal scorer of all time