EPL Game 2: Portsmouth 1: 1 Man Utd

Another good display, but to no avail! The biggest talking point going into the match was Tevez making his United debut, earlier than Sir Alex would have liked, filling in for Rooney who will be out for at least 2 months (damn!!). Initial part of the first half saw United making good progress into the Pompey half. United seem to dominated play and possession and creating few chances. Tevez seemed to be settling well in the striker’s position, while Nani was also brimming with confidence on the left flank. It was this pair which set up the first goal, in the 15^th minute, Tevez setting up a neat opening for Scholes of a Nani cross. It turned out to be a crisp hit from one of the cleanest strikers, finding the corner of the net past David James. Attacks kept growing through the first half. Tevez almost doubled the score when James spilled a Ronaldo strike, but just managed to ward of Tevez’s attempt to tap in. Things looked pretty good for United at half time.

Second half saw more chances being created by the Reds but not managing to finish. Suddenly at 53 mins, the game seemed to turn on its head. Substitute Taylor got past into the left flank and supplied a neat cross into the United penalty area, where Benjani latched on to it heading it neatly past Van Der Saar. Portsmouth started to build more pressure from then on. Still United were creating enough chances on the other side but just managing to not score. About 5 minutes from time, just as United were hoping and in fact, looking like getting a winner, Ronaldo was awarded the dreaded Red. Looked like he fell into the familiar provocation trap. Unfortunately, after that blow, United didn’t look like they were going to get the goal they wanted.

There were good things to take from the match. Tevez didn’t look bad in his first outing, and without much practice too. Nani looked impressive, but doesn’t seem to be his complete self yet. But full marks for trying. Disappointing they have dropped points already. But somebody tells me the last time they didn’t win the first two encounters, they went on the win the treble!