Manutd.com report: Man Utd 2 - 0 Portsmouth
van Der Sar
Neville (c) (O'Shea 13', Rafael 53') - Vidic - Evans - Evra
Ronaldo - Fletcher - Scholes - Anderson (Carrick 76') - Giggs
Rooney
scorers:
Rooney 9'
Carrick 82'
Man Utd overcame the disappointment of losing the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend to Everton with a solid and confident 2-0 victory although the 2 goals came too far apart. In doing so, it sets a scenario for a potential slip-up if Portsmouth could ever snatch a goal at any point during the match.
Most of the regular players returned to the starting line-up, many had roundly criticized the weakened selection at the weekend, but there was to be no farcical issues this time around.
Rooney was on the receiving end of a classic Man Utd goal when Anderson's clever reverse pass released Giggs on the left flank who cut it back for lone striker Rooney to tap in from close range. The early goal helped and Man Utd were in cruise control mode spending the majority of the time in Portsmouth's.
For all their clear-cut chances though, for Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs etc, did not find the back of the net. For a while, as Man Utd had with a similar overpowering display away from home against Porto in the Champions' League, one goal looks to settle the tie. However, Arsenal's 4-4 draw with closest rivals Liverpool only the day before means Man Utd must take advantage and pull away further in the quest for championship gold.
When substitute Carrick came on and picked up Scholes' defence-splitting past, Man Utd did just that to kill of the match and are now ahead by 3 points with a game in hand.
For Portsmouth, they are looking down instead of up. The relegation battle is so tight, the closest it has ever been in recent seasons, with the bottom half of the table about 9 points apart from one another.
Man Utd also had problems at right-back during the match when Neville and his replacement O'Shea hobbled off with injury. Yet their strength in depth and Ferguson's super decision to introduce Rafael to the top-flight was evident when the Brazilian continued his fine rookie season as he replaced O'Shea minutes after the break.
There was also a personal accolade for Scholes who made his 600th appearance for Man Utd, another fantastic achievement for one of the most low-profile but also one of greatest players to ever grace the game.
Ratings:
van Der Sar (6): Another quiet game under his belt but the veteran had to be on his toes nevertheless.
Neville (5): Sustained an injury early in the match.
Evra (7): Was busy roaming forward in support of the attack and even with Pennant's introduction at half-time, the Frenchman was still finding freedom.
Vidic (7): Has been boosted by Ferdinand's return to the starting line-up and looking his assured self for the remainder of the season.
Evans (7): Combined well with Vidic to nullify Crouch's lone striker role.
Ronaldo (7): Again added unpredictability to his game when he chose to mix delivering crosses into the penalty box with individual solo runs, which is proving far more effective in making him look a better all-round player.
Giggs (7): Was a menace against Portsmouth throughout and should have added to his league goal tally of 1 this season.
Fletcher (7): Played an enormous part at the heart of midfield with a battling display.
Scholes (7): What better way to savour your 600th game for your club with a victory, the wily veteran assisted Carrick's goal with a trademark defence-splitting pass.
Anderson (7): Was a monster for Man Utd in the 1st half, seemingly all over the pitch, at one time in the corner of the pitch to fight tooth and nail for possession of the ball. More subdued in the 2nd half but the Brazilian had been out of the game for some time after all. His contribution that led to the opening goal is an example of his fine energy and vision.
Rooney (7): Scored the opener and as with Giggs, was a constant thorn against Portsmouth.
Subs:
O'Shea (7): Was a solid replacement and could have scored before his premature departure just after the break.
Rafael (7): Came on for O'Shea and made another good impression with his energy on the right flank.
Carrick (7): Replaced the superb Anderson and scored the killer goal.
~akim~
Neville (c) (O'Shea 13', Rafael 53') - Vidic - Evans - Evra
Ronaldo - Fletcher - Scholes - Anderson (Carrick 76') - Giggs
Rooney
scorers:
Rooney 9'
Carrick 82'
Man Utd overcame the disappointment of losing the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend to Everton with a solid and confident 2-0 victory although the 2 goals came too far apart. In doing so, it sets a scenario for a potential slip-up if Portsmouth could ever snatch a goal at any point during the match.
Most of the regular players returned to the starting line-up, many had roundly criticized the weakened selection at the weekend, but there was to be no farcical issues this time around.
Rooney was on the receiving end of a classic Man Utd goal when Anderson's clever reverse pass released Giggs on the left flank who cut it back for lone striker Rooney to tap in from close range. The early goal helped and Man Utd were in cruise control mode spending the majority of the time in Portsmouth's.
For all their clear-cut chances though, for Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs etc, did not find the back of the net. For a while, as Man Utd had with a similar overpowering display away from home against Porto in the Champions' League, one goal looks to settle the tie. However, Arsenal's 4-4 draw with closest rivals Liverpool only the day before means Man Utd must take advantage and pull away further in the quest for championship gold.
When substitute Carrick came on and picked up Scholes' defence-splitting past, Man Utd did just that to kill of the match and are now ahead by 3 points with a game in hand.
For Portsmouth, they are looking down instead of up. The relegation battle is so tight, the closest it has ever been in recent seasons, with the bottom half of the table about 9 points apart from one another.
Man Utd also had problems at right-back during the match when Neville and his replacement O'Shea hobbled off with injury. Yet their strength in depth and Ferguson's super decision to introduce Rafael to the top-flight was evident when the Brazilian continued his fine rookie season as he replaced O'Shea minutes after the break.
There was also a personal accolade for Scholes who made his 600th appearance for Man Utd, another fantastic achievement for one of the most low-profile but also one of greatest players to ever grace the game.
Ratings:
van Der Sar (6): Another quiet game under his belt but the veteran had to be on his toes nevertheless.
Neville (5): Sustained an injury early in the match.
Evra (7): Was busy roaming forward in support of the attack and even with Pennant's introduction at half-time, the Frenchman was still finding freedom.
Vidic (7): Has been boosted by Ferdinand's return to the starting line-up and looking his assured self for the remainder of the season.
Evans (7): Combined well with Vidic to nullify Crouch's lone striker role.
Ronaldo (7): Again added unpredictability to his game when he chose to mix delivering crosses into the penalty box with individual solo runs, which is proving far more effective in making him look a better all-round player.
Giggs (7): Was a menace against Portsmouth throughout and should have added to his league goal tally of 1 this season.
Fletcher (7): Played an enormous part at the heart of midfield with a battling display.
Scholes (7): What better way to savour your 600th game for your club with a victory, the wily veteran assisted Carrick's goal with a trademark defence-splitting pass.
Anderson (7): Was a monster for Man Utd in the 1st half, seemingly all over the pitch, at one time in the corner of the pitch to fight tooth and nail for possession of the ball. More subdued in the 2nd half but the Brazilian had been out of the game for some time after all. His contribution that led to the opening goal is an example of his fine energy and vision.
Rooney (7): Scored the opener and as with Giggs, was a constant thorn against Portsmouth.
Subs:
O'Shea (7): Was a solid replacement and could have scored before his premature departure just after the break.
Rafael (7): Came on for O'Shea and made another good impression with his energy on the right flank.
Carrick (7): Replaced the superb Anderson and scored the killer goal.
~akim~
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