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----Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Barclays Player of the Month for December, with Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce claiming the Barclays Manager of the Month honour.

The Portugal international becomes the first player in almost 10 years to claim the award for a second month in a row after a fruitful end to 2006 which saw the 21-year-old score seven goals in just six Barclays Premiership appearances.

Ronaldo grabbed the goalscoring limelight with the third in United's 3-1 victory against neighbours Manchester City, two more in the 3-0 win at Aston Villa, and further braces in the home successes against Wigan Athletic (3-1) and Reading (3-2).

The gifted winger's magnificent seven took his tally for the season in the league to 12, where he now sits just a solitary goal behind Chelsea's Didier Drogba in the race for the Barclays Premiership Golden Boot.

He also becomes only the third player in Premier League history to win consecutive awards, and the first in almost a decade since Dennis Bergkamp picked up successive gongs in August and September 1997.

Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler was the only other player to achieve this feat in December 1995 and January 1996.

Jim Hytner, from the Barclays Awards Panel, said: “Ronaldo continued his fine form from November and said goodbye to 2006 in fantastic style.

"His pace, quick feet and eye for goal are proving to be a real handful for defences at the moment, as his return of seven goals from six games in December illustrates.”

Bolton boss Allardyce scooped the Barclays Manager of the Month Award for December following a five-game winning sequence which saw the Trotters cement their position in the top six of the Barclays Premiership.

Following a 1-0 away loss to Reading at the beginning of the month, Allardyce's side defeated West Ham United 4-0 at the Reebok Stadium and recorded a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

The back-to-back triumphs were followed by further wins against Manchester City (2-0) and Newcastle United (2-1) before they rounded off 2006 by defeating Portsmouth 3-2 at home.

Having managed the Trotters since 1999, this is the fourth time Allardyce has won the Manager of the Month Award. He previously won the accolade in August 2001, November 2003 and January 2004.

Hytner added: “Allardyce's award recognises the commitment and strength shown by Bolton during the current season.

"Their impressive form at the end of the year, which saw them score 10 goals in December, suggests that they will continue to impress in 2007.”

Both winners were selected by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.----

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