Watford 4 Portsmouth 2:  Watford could not have prepared for their FA Cup semi-final meeting with Manchester United in better style as they comfortably beat United's Saturday conquerors Portsmouth today.

Pompey reopened the title race by overcoming United 2-1 less than 48 hours earlier, but they were no match for the bottom-of-the-table Hornets, who earned only their fourth league win of the campaign thanks to Hameur Bouazza's penalty and further strikes from Gavin Mahon, Tamas Priskin and the irresistible Bouazza.

Matthew Taylor had given the visitors a 16th-minute lead, but Watford had edged in front by half-time and their second-half display was excellent, the only blight on it an 81st-minute consolation from Pompey substitute Arnold Mvuemba.

The outcome might have been different had Kanu scored rather than hit the crossbar in the 58th minute, but Watford often overran Portsmouth after the interval and fully deserved their win.