United labour past Pompey to go three points clear
United labour past Pompey to go three points clear
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Wednesday, 22, Apr 2009 10:43
Manchester United have gone three points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Old Trafford.
United created a plethora of chances, despite being far from their potent best, but strikes from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick gave them a deserved victory.
Although the scoreline did not reflect United's tired performance they were still superior to a Pompey side who struggled to impose themselves at all on the defending champions.
United managed to score with their first meaningful attack of the match, Anderson released Ryan Giggs down the left flank and he crossed for Rooney to tap past David James from close-range.
The home side hit their stride having gone 1-0 ahead and could have added to their lead but for a combination of profligate finishing and desperate defending from Pompey.
Rooney and Anderson both saw shots narrowly miss the target before John O'Shea's header was cleared off the line by Nadir Belhadj from Ryan Giggs' in-swinging corner.
Moments later the Welshman was played in by Rooney but David James made an excellent save one-on-one.
United stuttered at times in the second half, with their passing uncharacteristically errant in the final third of the field on more than one occasion.
Rooney and Giggs both went close again for the home side but Pompey were more resolute in their defending than they had been in the first-half which also restricted United's chances.
Peter Crouch volleyed wide as Pompey enjoyed a rare foray into United territory midway through the second half.
Carrick replaced Anderson with 15 minutes to go and the England midfielder was played in for the second goal in the 82nd minute.
Paul Scholes, who was making his 600th United appearances, slid a pass between two defenders and Carrick ran into the box and finished low into the bottom corner to put the game beyond doubt.
United are now three points clear of Liverpool and six ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand on both of their rivals.