UNITED RIP THROUGH POMPEY
(Image taken from Manutd.com)
Well Portsmouth started last season with Harry Redknapp as manager and we headed to Fratton Park early on, and cruised our way to a 1-0 win with the Reds grabbing the game's only goal in the first half for what was our first win of the season. Redknapp went on to quit Pompey and was replaced first by Tony Adams and then Paul Hart. At which point Pompey came to Old Trafford and United saw them off to the tune of 2-0 with goals either side of half time. Pompey spent that season dodging the drop which they managed to do relatively smoothly though they came into the season expecting better. United in the meantime collected our third title in a row.
This time around though, Pompey found themselves in even deeper trouble. Bottom of the table and low on cash, Hart got booted and temporarilly made way first for a double act of Ian Woan and Paul Groves and then Arvam Grant decided to return to the touchline in an effort to get his team out of trouble. Either way, a Premiership match at Fratton Park was a good way to get back to business after a messy Champions League encounter. United went 4-5-1. Kuszczak in goal, Evra left back, Valencia right mid, Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher centre mid, Giggsy left mid and Rooney up front. Certainly an interesting strategy from Fergie.
The early stages were fair slow but United had the first opportunity of note and soon set up camp in the Pompey half. The home side preplied with a good chance of their own and for a while it was them running the show. Still no goals though. That was untill the 25th minute when Pompey conceded a penalty and Rooney slotted it in. However at the other end, Pompey somehow were given a 32nd minute penalty after a mix up in their box and Kevin Prince-Boateng levelled the score. United could have grabbed a second before half time but failed. Overall both sides and reason to complain about the penalties they conceded but United did seem to have the edge.
The Reds didn't hang about in the second half though. First Giggsy set up Rooney in the 48th minute and our deadliest assasin got his second. Then came a 54th minute penalty that allowed Wayne to complete his hat trick. United carried on attacking and really should have buried the Premiership's bottom side but our attackers kept blowing chances. Pompey had their own chances but they also came up empty. However United would not be denied. Giggsy may be going on 36 now but he can still bury a freekick and in the 87th minute he did just that. Pompey had one last chance for a consolation goal but couldn't take it and so this match well and trulyt belonged to United.
Elsewhere, Chelsea faced Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Well in theory Arsenal had slightly more chances in the first half but in practice it was Chelsea that were the more effective team with Didier Drogba opening the scoring before Thomas Vermaelen put the ball in his own net. While the Gunners continued to give the Blues a match in the second half, it was Carlo Ancelotti's team that turned out to have a lot more edge, Drogba getting his second to finish the game off. That means the United remain 2nd in the Premiership, five points behind leaders Chelsea but six points ahead of Arsenal and a detour through the Champions League preliminaries.
North of the border, Aberdeen faced Rangers at Pittodrie in the SPL. The Dons were clearly well u for this match and when Miller hit the net his teammates were suitably delighted. The Gers had some good efforts late in the first half but the Dons held on. The second half turned out to be largely about the Dons holding on to the three points. Their old rivals threw the kitchen sink at them but it wasn't enough and the Dons claimed the three points. This has to be the biggest win of the Mark McGhee era so far and it does prove that this Dons side has potential. The biggest unanswered question though is always, do they have the consistancy to go with it.
Elsewhere, Dundee United drew 2-2 with Motherwell at Fir Park. The Tangerines opened the scoring only for Well to turn the game around before half time. However the visitors deserved an equaliser at least and got one late on. Hearts beat Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park. Hearts were certainly the better side in the first half but it wasn't until after half time that they converted their superiority into goals. Kille had to make do with a late consolation. That means that Aberdeen remain 6th place in the SPL, five point behind Dundee United and a Europa League spot but also five points ahead of Hearts and the bottom half of the table. Their target is that Europa League spot though so there's a lonbg way to go.
Back south odf the border and down a few level, the FA Cup 2nd round took place. Exeter fell 4-3 in an all-LI tie against MK Dons at Stadium:mk though the Grecians certainly didn't disgrace themselves - MK had to come back from two goals down! Brentford however beat Walsall in another all-L1 encounter at Griffin Park with the Bees winner coming early on. Other than the goal there wasn't much to choose between the two sides but congrats to the Bees for doing the business. That sets them up for a 3rd round match against Championship Doncaster at Grffin Park. That won't be easy but it certainly isn't unworkable for the Bees in what is their best Cup run since their great surge in '06.
In the meantime, the 3rd round is also where Premiership side join the party, including United and the Reds will face either L1 Leeds or BSP Kettering at Old Trafford. The first question is who will win the Leeds vs Kettering 2nd round replay and Elland Road? Well despite Kettering's bravery in the first match, you have to say that Leeds are the safe bet here. That would set up a very tasty cup tie with MUFC. The Reds and Whites are old rivals and this would be the first time the two sides have met since the Whites dropped out of the Premiership in '04. Back in the day, this would have been a tough encounter but Leeds have been ravaged by the money men since then and you have to say the Reds will be the ones to reach the next round.
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