Manchester United raced into a three-goal lead against struggling Portsmouth as the home side failed to record a hat-trick of home Premiership wins against the visitors.
Pompey had beaten United in successive home Premiership fixtures before today’s encounter but given a master class in first-half finishing.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two fine goals after Ruud van Nistelrooy headed in the rebound from Ryan Giggs’ shot as memories of previous 1-0 and 2-0 defeats at Fratton Park were dismissed by the high-flyers.
Pompey showed that they will not go down without a fight with a belligerent effort in the second half and deservedly pulled back a goal three minutes from time when substitute Wayne Routledge’s cross was headed in by Matt Taylor.
They could have shocked United again with further goals after the visitors had stepped off the gas but the home side failed to find the net.
For 18 minutes, before United scored their first Premiership goal at Fratton Park, and for brief moments afterwards, Pompey looked like they might have the ambition and drive to register their third consecutive home win over Alex Ferguson’s side.
But by half-time three stunning finishes had killed all that and left Portsmouth’s relegation fears even sharper in focus, and United’s title hopes just a tiny bit more realistic.
The first goal came from Ryan Giggs after a wonderful run and an exchange of passes with Van Nistelrooy. The ball hit the underside of the bar after the Welsh ace had rounded Kiely, leaving himself with a difficult angle, and the Dutchman headed in the rebound.
Then Portuguese star Ronaldo took over. When Ji-Sung Park made a brave downward header in the 37th minute, Ronaldo let fly with a 25-yard shot that rose late over the goalkeeper’s head.
When Wayne Rooney set him up in first-half injury time, Ronaldo was again clinical with his finishing which had the benefit of a deflection to help it home.
When Taylor netted a late header from Routledge’s returned cross there was suddenly late hope but United held firm at the back and closed out the remaining minutes.
Pompey now have 12 games to save their Premiership status and are eight points adrift of safety with a visit to Chelsea next up.
PA
