Manchester United 2 Everton 1

EVERTON manager David Moyes admitted a moment of madness'' from Steven Pienaar cost his side a point at Manchester United.

The Toffeemen seemed well set to extend a 13-match unbeaten record and dent United's title ambitions until Pienaar inexplicably stuck out his back leg to impede Ryan Giggs two minutes from the end of a keenly-fought encounter.

Having already seen his brilliant opener cancelled out by Tim Cahill, Cristiano Ronaldo was in no mood to let Everton off the hook a second time and promptly sent former United keeper Tim Howard the wrong way to convert his 16th goal of the campaign and give the Red Devils a 2-1 win.

Ronaldo's efforts allowed United to close the gap on Premier League table toppers Arsenal to a single point and left Moyes to bury his head in his hands in total disbelief.

It was a moment of madness,'' reflected the Everton manager.

It was one of those moments you look at and think that cannot have happened!'.

There is no explanation. I have not asked Steven about it - I have told him.

I cannot hide the fact it was a poor decision but if I say that, I also have to say how well he has done for us over the last two months.'' Ronaldo was the only member of United's first-team squad to miss Monday's ill-advised players' party.

Instead, the 22-year-old was picking up third prize in the FIFA world player of the year awards in Zurich.

And the former Sporting Lisbon star showed why he is rated so highly with a sensational opener as he collected Carlos Tevez's square pass, stepped inside Lee Carsley, then thrashed the ball home from 20 yards with his left foot.

It is very difficult to say how you stop Ronaldo,'' said Moyes.

In general play we did quite well today but he just has these moments. You always think you can do better, that you can get closer and tighter.

But sometimes, when you are tight, he is good enough to get away. They have people who are nerveless and can win you games.

They can do things which other players cannot do.'' Ferguson went even further: He has got everything.

We are expecting goals from him all the time and I don't think he ever made a mistake today. He was absolutely perfect, a marvellous performance by him.'' After an equally determined success over Tottenham on Sunday, Arsenal ensured United could not really afford to drop points at the start of the festive programme.

You do worry because time was running out but my experience is to never give up on this team because they have scored so many important goals late on,'' said Ferguson.

Thankfully we got the penalty.

The temperament and confidence Cristiano has shown since he was a kid surfaces at times like that.

He composed himself and took the spot-kick very well.'' United now travel to relegation- threatened Sunderland, managed by illustrious old-boy Roy Keane, knowing victory will put them top, if only for a few hours as Arsenal tackle Portsmouth at Fratton Park a couple of hours later.

Veteran keeper Edwin van der Sar will again miss out on Boxing Day after picking up a slight groin strain but Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves, who were also missing with a gashed foot and a back complaint respectively, should be available.

We have started the Christmas period well and I will freshen things up a bit on Wednesday,'' said Ferguson.

I have players like Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea, Nani, Louis Saha and Park Ji-sung, who is back in the squad now.

They are all fit and fresh so we've got a few options.'' Everton play Bolton, although Moyes does not believe his players have any reason to be downcast after such a spirited display.

I don't feel as though we have lost,'' he said. Manchester United are a great side who cause you problems and I feel as if we played well enough to get something out of the game."