Cristiano Ronaldo scored only his second Manchester United hat trick to clinch a 3-2 victory over Tottenham, sending his team fourth in the Premier League.
Ronaldo made an instant impact returning from injury, striking from 25 yards (meters) in the 12th minute in front of retired NFL great Tom Brady at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Although Harry Kane leveled from a penalty in the 35th after Alex Telles handled Dejan Kulusevski's cross, United was back in front three minutes later. Nemanja Matic released Jadon Sancho who cut across for Ronaldo to strike past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Tottenham was gifted an equalizer when United captain Harry Maguire diverted Sergio Reguilón's cross into his own net in the 72nd.
But then Ronaldo jinked away from Cristian Romero and leapt above Matt Doherty to meet a corner from Telles with a thundering header in front of the Stretford End to clinch the win in the 81st.
Ronaldo is in his first season back at United from Real Madrid, and this was his first hat trick for United since January 2008.
While United moved into the fourth Champions League place, Tottenham is five points behind in seventh.
Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah led Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday, maintaining the attempt to chase down Premier League leader Manchester City.
Liverpool is three points behind City with the defending champions playing at Crystal Palace on Monday.
Diaz headed the ball into the back of the net in the 19th minute just before being clattered by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who had rushed out to the edge of the penalty area.
The medics were immediately waved on by referee Mike Dean, but a subsequent VAR review allowed the goalkeeper to remain on the field without punishment.
Liverpool's second came on a penalty converted by Salah in the 61st after Naby Keita’s half-volley struck Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma on the arm.
Liverpool has now scored 21 goals and conceded just twice while winning eight league games in a row.
Brighton is 13th in the 20-team standings after a fifth successive loss.