World loses it over 'extraordinary' Cristiano Ronaldo return

Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United return has left the football world in a frenzy after the Portuguese ace bagged a double in his side's 4-1 win over Newcastle.

Returning to the club where he made his debut as a teenager 18 years ago, the noise inside Old Trafford was electrifying as home fans welcomed back their hero.

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Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wasted no time integrating his new superstar into the team, naming the 36-year-old to start up front in an attack-minded United side.

Despite several half chances, the first half looked as though it would end goalless, but the script was written for Ronaldo to announce his return in style.

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his return to Manchester United in the grand manner, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle which has taken Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side to the top of the Premier League.

Twelve years and 124 days after his last Premier League goal, against Manchester City in May 2009, the Portugal superstar was back on the scoresheet in first-half added time.

It was one of the easiest goals Ronaldo could ever want to score and owed as much to his experience as it did to Freddie Woodman's mishandling.

The Newcastle goalkeeper fumbled Mason Greenwood's deflected shot and Ronaldo, gambling on an error, was rewarded with a simple tap-in.

Javier Manquillo then equalised from a 56th minute counter-attack but within six minutes Ronaldo had reclaimed the headlines, firing a shot between Woodman's legs.

Bruno Fernandes made it a Portuguese treble for United by firing home from 25 yards before Jesse Lingard's excellent finish in added time.

It was all about Ronaldo during and after the game, however, as the football world hailed the return of the legendary forward.

"I was very nervous but maybe it didn't show," Ronaldo told Sky Sports after the game.

"This club is unbelievable. I feel so proud and I'm going to give them everything to make them proud of me.

"Football in England is different to any part of the world. I've played everywhere but, to be honest, England is the most special one.

"I belong to Manchester. I arrived here at 18 and they treated me unbelievably. This is why I've come back. I'm so proud to be here and I want to win."

Romelu Lukaku bags brace in Chelsea win

Unbeaten United, who lead the table on goals scored, were later joined on 10 points at the top by Chelsea, whose own superstar signing Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, with Mateo Kovacic netting the other.

Lukaku hadn't scored at Chelsea's ground in his 14 previous appearances, including 11 Premier League games, comprising those from his previous spell with the west London club and subsequent stints at Everton and Manchester United.

Manchester City, who had been linked with signing Ronaldo, moved into second as Bernardo Silva's first league goal since February proved enough to give them the points in a 1-0 win at Leicester.

After a goalless first hour Stg 100 million man Jack Grealish combined with Joao Cancelo and despite Caglar Soyuncu making a good block the ball fell kindly to the Portuguese who reacted quickest to poke home.

Top spot was vacated by Tottenham after Crystal Palace ended the league leaders' 100% start with a 3-0 victory, substitute Odsonne Edouard enjoying a dream debut with two late goals to give Patrick Vieira his first win as Eagles' manager in the early kick-off.

Spurs defender Japhet Tanganga's dismissal for two yellow cards just before the hour was followed by Wilfried Zaha's 76th-minute penalty and two late strikes from Edouard in the final 10 minutes

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored Arsenal's first goal of the season as the Gunners finally got off the mark with a 1-0 win against Norwich.

Watford defender Francisco Sierralta's 74th-minute own goal and a debut goal for Hee Chan Hwang secured a 2-0 win for Wolves at Vicarage Road.

Leandro Trossard's low shot snatched a last-gasp 1-0 win for Brighton at Brentford.

West Ham's trip to Southampton finished goalless, with Michail Antonio seeing red deep into stoppage time for a second yellow card offence.

with AAP

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