Portsmouth Vs. Manchester United Result Report

United defied the so-called Fratton Park hoodoo to claim a first league win of the season, thanks to the same goalscorer from the opening game – Darren Fletcher.

Whether Fletcher retains the credit may yet be decided by the Dubious Goals Committee but there was nothing dubious about the outcome – the Reds were again superior to Portsmouth, especially in the final third. Even without Ronaldo, the man who scored twice – including United’s goal of the season – on the Reds’ last win on this ground in February 2006.

Ronaldo wasn't the only midfield absentee - Sir Alex was forced into several changes following the injuries sustained by other key men in the opening weekend. Patrice Evra pushed up to deputise for Ryan Giggs on the left flank while Anderson made an instant return in Michael Carrick's central role, less than 48 hours after flying into England from the Beijing Olympics. Also back in the UK and back in the side was Carlos Tevez, who missed the Newcastle match after a family bereavement.

Papa Bouba Diop signalled Portsmouth’s intent with a powerful shot that bounced just wide of Edwin van der Sar’s right-hand post just 13 seconds after the kick-off.

Wayne Rooney returned fire moments later with a drive into David James’ midriff following great play by Paul Scholes who sprayed an exquisite long pass wide to Wes Brown on the right flank.

Scholes’ other trademark came to the fore in the 19th minute when he unleashed a missile after being teed up by Rooney at a direct free-kick. James dived to his left and dealt admirably with the slight swerve to parry the ball away. Less than 60 seconds later and Scholes was back near to his own box to coolly head a loose ball into van der Sar’s clutches.

The contest was not without its casualties - Tevez was on the receiving end of Diop’s bookable challenge shortly before Brown left the field for treatment to his right eye after being caught in a battle between John O’Shea and Peter Crouch.

Crouch was close to pulling the trigger in the 25th minute when Evra slid in with a brave last-ditch challenge to thwart the England striker. The resulting corner, the first for either side, presented Younes Kaboul with a free header but mercifully the Pompey defender nodded comfortably wide.

Evra was twice in action at the other end around the half-hour mark; first to lose control with a heavy touch when the linesman’s flag was raised; secondly to deliver a killer ball into the six-yard box for United’s breakthrough.

Darren Fletcher attacked it at the near post and will try to claim his second goal of the season. However, TV replays suggested Campbell may have diverted it past James and over the line, even before Sylvain Distin hooked the ball into the roof of the net.

The same technology backed Campbell moments later when he blocked a close-range flick with Rooney, but not with a hand as the United fans behind the goal had hoped.

Rooney threatened again at the end of a great build-up when, after turning onto Anderson’s arrowed pass across the edge of the area, he steered a low shot only inches wide of the post with James looking well beaten.

Brown was booked for a wild hack at Armand Traore but escaped further punishment when Rooney headed the resulting free-kick away to safety.

United were the first team on the pitch for the second period and the first to create a decent opening. Tevez slipped a pass to Rooney on the left hand side of the area and when the England striker crossed the ball low to the far post, Anderson was only just beaten to it by Distin’s timely toes.

Van der Sar saw his first real action of the match on the hour mark when Portsmouth substitute Jerome Thomas tried his luck from distance – the Dutchman, alert as ever, beat away the effort with his fists. Moments later he was in the right place to scoop up Crouch’s tame downward header.

Rooney had a strong shout for a penalty turned down when Campbell’s clumsy tackle stopped him from connecting with another Evra raid into the area.

Evra, then Fletcher on the follow-up, both had shots blocked by former Chelsea right-back Glen Johnson in the 70th minute, before Vidic’s header dipped just over the bar from an excellent Anderson corner on the left.

Jermain Defoe was booked for dissent just before Tevez curled a free-kick into James’ grasp. As if to sum up the difference in execution between the two clubs, a similar setpiece for Portsmouth saw Diarra’s kick strike United’s wall before it could even reach van der Sar.

Team Line-ups

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Johnson, Diop, Davis (Utaka, 66), Diarra, Armand Traore (Thomas, 55), Crouch, Defoe.
Subs not used: Ashdown, Lauren, Hreidarsson, Mvuemba, Sahar.

Booked: Diop, Defoe.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Fletcher, Anderson (Possebon, 76), Scholes, Evra, Rooney, Tevez.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Neville, Fabio Da Silva, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson, Campbell.

Booked: Brown, Fletcher.