© EuroFootball.com
In the "Premier" League in England, the best player of the month prize in December was won by the championship leader "Man Utd" club's right-back Cristiano Ronaldo, while the best coach award went to "Bolton" team's head coach Sam Allardyce.
The player of the Portugal national team, who was recognized as the best player of the month in November, became the third representative of his team to receive such an award this season.
The name of the best player of the month in August went to the veteran defender, Welsh legionnaire Ryan Giggs, and in October, another defender, Englishman Paul Scholes, was recognized as the best.
Receiving the award for the second month in a row, the Portuguese became only the third player to do so after the legendary Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp (1997) and current "Liverpool" striker Robbie Fowler (1995 and 1996).
The 21-year old star has been in excellent form this season, scoring seven goals in six matches in December. In total, in the "Premier" League, C. Ronaldo has beaten opponents' goalkeepers 12 times, placing second in goals behind "Chelsea" striker Didier Drogba, who has 13 goals.
C. Ronaldo started the month with one goal in a 3-1 victory in the Manchester derby against "Man City", then twice beat Aston Villa goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, as "Man Utd" won 3-0 away.
He then scored two more goals in a 3-1 win against "Wigan", and the following week, thanks to the Portuguese's two goals, the "Red Devils" managed to snatch a 3-2 victory at home against "Reading".
"Cristiano Ronaldo continues to demonstrate his excellent form since November, and he bid farewell to 2006 in a fantastic style," said "Premier" League awards presenter Jim Hytner. "His speed and ability to quickly find an opportunity to score a goal prove that defenders from other clubs find it very hard to stop C. Ronaldo, as he scored seven goals in December in six games."
For the first time this season, the title of best coach of the month was won by "Bolton" team's strategist Sam Allardyce, whose team achieved five victories and now occupies the 5th position in the "Premier" League.
"Bolton" started the month by losing to championship newcomers "Reading" 1-0, but then achieved a stunning victory against "West Ham" with a score of 4-0, narrowly beat Aston Villa in Birmingham, and won another victory in Manchester, defeating "Man City" 2-0.
During the holiday period, "Bolton" defeated "Newcastle" 2-1 in front of their fans and in a five-goal drama, they won 3-2 against "Portsmouth".
For S. Allardyce, this is the fourth award in the last three seasons. The last time he was recognized as the best coach was in January 2004.
"Sam Allardyce's award recognizes the dedication and strength of the 'Bolton' team, which they showed this season," added J. Hytner. "The excellent form shown by the 'Trotters' team at the end of the year suggests that it may continue into 2007."
