Man Utd 2 Portsmouth 0: Relentless Red Devils take step closer to the title

23 April 2009 00:24
After the drama and excitement at Anfield the previous night, thisall seemed rather dull. A routine victory for United but exactly thekind of victory, it should be said, that wins titles.[LNB]This Unitedside never suffer real setbacks when it comes to the serious businessof the Barclays Premier League and they were always going to takeadvantage of Liverpool's self-destructive defending against Arsenal, aswell as Chelsea's failure to beat Everton at Stamford Bridge.[LNB] Wayne to go: Rooney scores United's first goal[LNB] Tevez admits he could be ready to quit United: I'm fed up of sitting on the bench Red handed: United back on top but Fergie has the humpTractor Roy - Keane's box office appeal is just the job at Portman RoadAhead against Portsmouth after nine minutes thanks to a goal from Wayne Rooney and in the clear once Michael Carrick had struck eight minutes from time, United returned to the top of the table with relative ease and the fact that they are now three points clear with a game in hand would suggest Liverpool's hopes of a first championship in 19 years have just about disappeared.[LNB]This season Liverpool have too often dropped points in games like this,home encounters with teams they are expected to beat. But United arethe champions of England, Europe and the world for a variety of reasonsand seeing off such lesser challengers with ruthless efficiency is oneof them.[LNB]Another is the possession of players like Rooney.[LNB]While Dimitar Berbatov has frustrated Sir Alex Ferguson so much he left him on the bench last night, Rooney has the hunger and desire United's manager demands of his players.[LNB]For all the success he has already enjoyed at Old Trafford - including consecutive League titles and a European Cup - Rooney continues to combine youthful enthusiasm with an outstanding natural ability and in many ways represents what this team is all about.[LNB]If Berbatov wants to remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of thisseason, he would do well to study the England striker and take note ofthe contribution he makes.[LNB]Right now, only one of the two£30million strikers represents value for money. The other looks like hehas no future at this club. Rooney has bought into Ferguson'sphilosophy and followed the example of players like Ryan Giggs, GaryNeville and Paul Scholes, who marked his 600th United appearance with aquite brilliant pass for Carrick's goal.[LNB] Marathon man: Scholes walks off after his 600th game[LNB]Berbatov, it seems, does not quite get it. He does not understand that invention is nothing without industry and that United's domination has been built on great players who know what it means to graft, players who know, a s t h e y demonstrated again here last night, how to grind out a result.[LNB]It is not just his manager who is disillusioned. Berbatov's name was booed by the fans last night when he was named by the stadium announcer among the substitutes and that, if nothing else, should tell him he will have to work to get back into this team.[LNB]Just as they did against Porto last week, United seized an early lead and never really looked like losing it, even if they appeared a little nervous midway through the second half.[LNB]They went ahead thanks to a beautifully executed goal. The left-foot ball from Anderson to Ryan Giggs was exquisite; the cross from Giggs to Rooney delivered to perfection. David James had no chance, Rooney driving his shot past the England goalkeeper from less than 10 yards.[LNB] Sweet sixteen: Carrick scores United's second goal[LNB]United did then suffer a setback with the loss of Gary Neville to injury, but they continued to press and Rooney tested James with another decent effort.[LNB]The champions were playing some delightful football, with Rooney very much at the heart of the action. One neat little pass that sent Patrice Evra racing down the left flank was terrific.[LNB]Portsmouth offered little in response. Glen Johnson was doing reasonably well down the right flank but penetrating a defence that looked solid despite the absence of Rio Ferdinand and Neville was proving difficult, particularly for David Nugent, who was almost cut in half by Nemanja Vidic, with the Serb picking up a yellow card as a result.[LNB]At the other end, United went desperately close to scoring a second in the 29th minute. James was beaten by John O'Shea's header but Nadir Belhadj cleared off the line before Sol Campbell snuffed out the danger.[LNB]James then did well to deny Giggs. The Wales winger had only the goalkeeper to beat when Rooney put him through but James was quick to react and smothered the shot.[LNB] Heavens above: Ronaldo shows his frustration after being pulled back[LNB]Seizing on a poorly directed header from Campbell, Cristiano Ronaldo created what was very nearly a goal for Giggs. The Portuguese winger tore down the right wing but Johnson did just enough to distract Giggs, who sent his close-range shot wide.[LNB]Portsmouth's opportunities were limited, their best chance coming when Johnson accelerated down the right flank and crossed for Peter Crouch, only to see Edwin van der Sar produce a fine save to deny the England striker.[LNB]But that was as close as Paul Hart's side got to causing the kind of upset that just doesn't seem to happen here at the moment. With news filtering through from Stamford Bridge that Chelsea were struggling to score against Everton - a situation that does not bode well for next month's FA Cup final - the more experienced members of this United side decided to step up a gear and ease the sense of anxiety.[LNB] It was from Scholes that the inspiration came. Spotting Carrick's run, the 34-year-old split the Portsmouth defence with a sensational pass that left Carrick, on as a replacement for the excellent Anderson, with only James to beat. James did well to get his fingertips to the ball but he proved powerless to divert Carrick's effort wide of the target.[LNB]Another win for United and another giant leap towards a third consecutive championship.[LNB] Tevez admits he could be ready to quit United: I'm fed up of sitting on the bench Red handed: United back on top but Fergie has the humpTractor Roy - Keane's box office appeal is just the job at Portman Road [LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail