Ronaldo ran riot as United kept their six-point lead intact with an emphatic 4-1 win over Bolton before boss Sir Alex Ferguson dismissed recent claims that the Portuguese star was on his way to Spain.

Ferguson said: "I have seen this throughout my time at the club and there is nothing you can do about it. When it comes to presidential elections at Barcelona and Real Madrid, the speculation is unremitting.

"They talk about the best player in the world and who they are going to bring in. It happens every year and you have to accept it.

"But we are negotiating strongly with Cristiano's agent and I am hopeful he will sign."

Ronaldo set up Park Ji-Sung for his 14th-minute opener and also cued up a super strike for Wayne Rooney. Park and Rooney each scored twice with Bolton's consolation coming from a late Gary Speed penalty.

Chelsea continue to do all they can to maintain the pressure on United with £30million misfit Andriy Shevchenko starring in a 3-0 stroll over Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.

The Ukrainian opened the scoring in the third minute followed by further goals from Salomon Kalou and Michael Ballack, before earning the praise of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho said: "It is a natural evolution of a striker coming from many years playing different football. I think he will be the same as Didier Drogba in that respect.

"Didier did better in his second season and he's doing better than last season.

"Andriy will do even better next season. He is improving. He is a happy boy and he is adapting to the demands of English football."

At the other end of the table West Ham gave their survival hopes a belated shot in the arm after coming from behind to grab a highly controversial 2-1 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

A Carlos Tevez penalty cancelled out Chris Samba's opener before referee Howard Webb ruled Bobby Zamora's effort 15 minutes from time had crossed the line - despite protests the contrary and also concerning an alleged Hammers handball.

Honest Hammers boss Alan Curbishley admitted: "I am delighted. I have seen the replay of it and obviously it hasn't gone over the line. But we have had some bad luck so I am delighted it has turned."

To compound Blackburn's misery, they had David Bentley sent off in the dying seconds for a second bookable offence.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes said: "This game has been changed by the referee's decisions."

Manchester City responded to rumours boss Stuart Pearce's job was on the line with a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough which significantly reduces their fears of falling into the relegation zone.

Sylvain Distin and Emile Mpenza scored the crucial goals but Pearce played down the impact the result would have on his future, saying: "This is a tough profession. You know that when you go into it, and it does not change."

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson stole the headlines at White Hart Lane by scoring from 75 yards during his side' s comfortable 3-1 victory over Watford.

Robinson's free-kick bounced over his opposite number Ben Foster into the bottom corner. Jermaine Jenas had put Spurs ahead and Hossam Ghaly added a third before Darius Henderson's consolation.

Portsmouth midfielder Richard Hughes had the best chance to break the deadlock against Reading at the Madejski Stadium while Wigan and Fulham also fought out a dismal stalemate.

In Sunday action, Charlton boosted their survival prospects with a 2-0 win over Newcastle at The Valley thanks to goals from full debutant Zheng Zhi and a Jerome Thomas penalty.

The race for third place remains open with Arsenal falling to a 1-0 defeat at Everton after Andy Johnson's injury-time strike, while Liverpool were held to a dull goalless draw at Aston Villa.