MAN UTD 5-0: REDS RUN RIOT
By Football Talk.
Manchester United 5-0 Portsmouth
Manchester United entertained Portsmouth at Old Trafford this afternoon safe in the knowledge a victory would send them back to the top of the Premier league. They made no mistake and dispatched Pompey in devastating fashion with a comfortable 5-0 win.
Utd started well and could have taken the lead early on but Evans headed wide from a Neville cross. But Pompey came close themselves when Vanden Borre forced Van Der Sar into a decent save.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were having all the possession but were not creating cutting-edge chances. Rooney got a shot off but was blocked by Ben Haim then he went close again minutes later after being released by Nani, but he blazed over.
Portsmouth almost took a shock lead but Evans cleared off the line from a Belhadji effort. But United broke straight back and Berbatov wasted a great chance to give them the lead. After good work down the right from Neville and Valencia, Berbatov only managed to fire wide when it seemed easier to score.
But Manchester United were ahead shortly after when Rooney met a Fletcher cross to head home from close range
1-0 Rooney (40)
With half time approaching United doubled their lead. Nani’s cross deflecting past james via Vanden Borre. Half time and United lead 2-0 and surely the three points in the bag.
2-0 Vanden Borre o.g (45)
Valencia almost added a third shortly after the break following a neat one-two with Berbatov, but James did well to turn his effort round the post.
It wasn’t long before the result was put beyond doubt, Carrick’s long-range shot taking a wicked deflection off Hughes and past James for 3-0. Game over.
3-0 Hughes o.g (59)
Berbatov made it 4-0 three minutes later firing into the bottom corner from inside the box.
4-0 Berbatov (62)
United were heading for the summit in impressive fashion. Evra then sent a low cross in that deflected past James by Wilson to make it a hat-trick of own goals. For all United’s dominance, Portsmouth did themselves no favours with three own goals.
5-0 Wilson o.g (69)
Substitute Diouf should have made it six but blazed over while positioned well. But it ended 5-0 and Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were back on top of the Premier League and improved their goal tally in the process.
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