Match Observations: Portsmouth 1-4 Manchester United

The scoreline may suggest that this was an easy, comfortable victory but this unfortunately was far from it as set-pieces had played a large part in a game, where, Portsmouth had had slightly more goal attempts that United in a game which had three penalties. But even though I’m sounding pessimistic, this game had plenty of positives such as the heroics of Tomas Kuszczak or even more so the partnership of Antonio Valencia and hat-trick hero Wayne Rooney.

Though his hat-trick was not very glamorous, the link up play between the new England captain and Valencia was reminiscent of the old Rooney-Ronaldo days, when they blew a team’s defence apart with a mixture of everything, ranging from pace, quick passing, one-two’s, you name it. Such a ‘mixture of everything’ was on show at Fratton Park, with Valencia constantly running at the defence, and though Rooney scored three, Valencia was my man of the match.

Antonio Valencia surged down the right, exchanging passes with Rooney with ease and precision and that led to the first goal after Avram Grant’s side had taken early initiative with a host of chances, many of which Kuszczac had saved expertly.

A break from United had pushed Pompey back, and the exchange of passes with the duo led to a penalty, in which Rooney was fouled and referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot straight away. Rooney duly converted but not before long the scores were deservedly level in an undeserved way. Dean had again pointed to the spot, but it was unclear to why this happened. Did Kuszczak foul someone after he had punched the ball away, no contact seen on replays, and a suggestion that Nemanja Vidic had pulled a shirt also looked an unconvincing claim.

Kevin-Prince Boateng stepped up and beat the ‘keeper, so the scores were level. The 4th official should thank his lucky stars that Sir Alex had his touchline ban or else. Portsmouth had been the better side in the half, so the home side would have been quite happy with the scoreline going in to the break.

But, United had made the perfect reply shortly after the interval. Giggs, 36 today, had found Rooney in a trademark Man Utd attack, and Rooney done the rest with a easy finish. Portsmouth had been rather quiet, struggling to find an equaliser, and soon another penalty was awarded. Giggs had been fouled, and Rooney once again scored from the spot. Hat-trick for him, in stark contrast from his first ever one against Fenerbahce on debut. This one not as special, nor as dazzling.

Giggs then finished things off with a free kick which brought about his 100th goal. Manchester United were far better in the second half, many thanks going to the goalkeeper and the partnership between Rooney and Valencia, who has wasted no time settling in. Three points for United, not a glossy performance but still, a good day at the office.

It was a very good lesson for Manchester United youngsters and second string players yesterday, and they will know that, despite defeat, that the scoreline did not reflect the game itself. The Red Devils may have also lost their very impressive European run of 23 matches unbeaten at Old Trafford.

Rodrigo Tello’s goal – a well struck one – was all that separated the teams and though Besiktas hit the post late in the first half, the Turkish side were on the back for large parts of the game. Chilean Tello’s strike had a deflection of Rafael and cruelly went into the back of the net, and though your first impression may be to blame Ben Foster for slow reactions, it is difficult to do so once you have seen it again as the deflection had made him think twice. Fabio Capello has to bring him on the plane to South Africa, but Foster did have a relatively quiet night.

Though, for the ‘keeper in the other end, the story was different. Rustu might have had 89 minutes of comfortable saves, but the former Barcelona and Turkey’s legendary goalkeeper had pulled off two vital saves at the end, off headers from the energetic Federico Macheda and Wes Brown.

Danny Welbeck and Macheda, both 18, played decently up front, but when Michael Owen joined both of them two, he was as ineffective as Besiktas’s no.10. Gabriel Obertan was superb, creating plenty of chances and dangerous crosses – most of them low in the box – and continued to impress the United faithful.

Obertan, along with Park and the two up front all had chances that didn’t really threaten the scoreline but United had all of the ball and players found themselves good positions but that didn’t materialise in anything big. Darron Gibson and Anderson, especially the latter, were very unconvincing though Gibson had found the ball in the positions where, say, a Scholes or a Carrick could do something special.

It was a respectable performance and at the end of the game the result had not mattered too much, as these player had gained valuable experience too in the process. The boss did not mind to much aswell but a win or draw is required at Wolfsburg in a fortnights time.

Observations on the game

Obertan looks terrific. Quick, agile and can hit the ball quite well whether that is crossing or shooting. Macheda and Welbeck have to develop more understanding, both took two long with the ball at their feet, and had to get into the positions quicker than yesterday night.

Brown and Vidic are starting to look ok at the back. Brown, in particular, has done well again after the Everton game though for the first goal they had to close down quicker. Rafael, take note.

Gibson finds himself in good positions but has to look out more, if he can develop his passing ability and have the vision of Paul Scholes, then he can be a star in the making. He can shoot, we know that from past games, but there are other options. Foster was not to blame for the goal, while Ferguson’s tactics were all right.

Finally, Park is back from injury. Very good news! He was one of the more senior players yesterday and had his movement was beautiful. His finishing, though, wasn’t up to scratch but he can hit the ball quite well. United will need to bounce back from this game, and they take on Portsmouth on Saturday, where Avram Grant has been named as the new manger.

International breaks sometimes affect teams as soon as they are over. Especially, if you’re a team like Manchester United and boast many international stars such as, say, Rooney or a Vidic and maybe even a Fletcher. Because it was the latter who set the standards in this highly comprehensive victory, with a stunning strike that sent the Stretford End erupting. Any trouble you would find from a long week of hard work was not apparent at Old Trafford.

This performance was more like the Man Utd we know and love. They dominated, not large parts of the game, but for all of the game as Everton really could not match United. It was almost like an exhibition match once the home side were 2-0 up, and you wonder how we haven’t seen enough of the same in this season, as this proves that they have it in them to pull of more convincing victories.

The away side had fielded a very defensive line up, and those tactics had backfired as they had lacked any real attacking depth and therefore had found chances hard to come by once Fletcher had scored his cracker. And before the goal, it was the hosts who had most chances.

Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs had efforts saved by former United ‘keeper Tim Howard, as the Red Devils had most of the possession and their quick, slick build up play forced Everton to push back. Louis Saha had a chance saved, the one of the two Everton chances which threatened Van der Sar, before a moment of magic by Fletcher lifted the roof of Old Trafford.

The Scot had let rip a curling volley after Antonio Valencia had headed into his path, and the score was deservedly 1-0, ten minutes shy of half time. After the break, Tim Cahill had a shot smothered by the goalkeeper, but it wasn’t long before the game had effectively ended when Michael Carrick had side-footed home after a strange move in which a mis-hit shot by Rooney had gone all the way to the corner flag, which was retrieved by Giggs, and his cross had found Carrick who finish was timed and too good for Howard.

And Antonio Valencia’s deflected strike after picking up a Paul Scholes’ pass had made the score 3-0 and the game was over. United find themselves five points behind leaders Chelsea, with the Blues next game against Arsenal.

Other Observations on the game

I have also identified some really good points to take out of the game. Patrice Evra was my man of the match, he was tireless and had worked hard and help create chances and was part of the impressive build up play in this game. I also liked Owen’s movement in the game, and he created good understanding with Wayne Rooney.

And it’s was good to see the defence playing well again. Still, not perfect but we kept a clean sheet and Wes Brown was particularly good, and looks comfortable in the centre-half position with Nemanja Vidic. Finally, Fletcher is a top player. His goal proves he can do just about anything, and already looks like the perfect replacement for Scholes once the veteran hangs up his boots. Darren Fletcher = Genius.