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Portsmouth 2-1 Man Utd

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  • Portsmouth 2-1 Man Utd

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>Portsmouth 2-1 Man Utd </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><DIV class=mvb><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=416 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom><DIV class=mvb><SPAN class=byl>By Chris Bevan </SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    </DIV>

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>Matt Taylor celebrates scoring Pompey's opener</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Portsmouth blew the Premiership title race wide open with a shock victory over leaders Manchester United.

    Pompey went ahead when Edwin van der Sar could only parry Benjani's shot and Matt Taylor followed up to score.

    United pushed forward but David James denied Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs before Rio Ferdinand put Taylor's pass into his own net to put Pompey 2-0 up.

    John O'Shea replied from close range but James made sure of victory with a superb last-gasp save from Alan Smith.

    Having seen Chelsea beat Tottenham earlier in the day and reduce their lead to three points, the pressure was on United to continue their impressive run of seven straight league victories.

    <DIV class=arr>Player Rater </DIV>

    But Pompey had other ideas and the home side's tactic of hustling United's defence paid off in the early stages as Harry Redknapp's men enjoyed all the initial pressure.

    Van der Sar only had to deal with one effort on goal - a header by Kanu - but it was still a warning to United and they finally woke from their slumbers.

    Ronaldo smashed a long-range free-kick wide of James' goal and was close to finding the target again soon after a typically mazy run.

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sib606><DIV class=sihf></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    It seemed United were gradually taking control but Pompey kept working hard even when they did not have the ball and their industry paid off on the half-hour.

    Kieran Richardson was caught in possession outside the box by Benjani, who fired in a dipping shot that Van der Sar could only palm into the path of Taylor, who gratefully slotted home.

    United responded well and Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney fired wide before Darren Fletcher forced James into his first save of the match.

    But Pompey were still dangerous themselves and almost increased their lead before the break.

    Linvoy Primus headed over from a Gary O'Neil corner, then Van der Sar had to save smartly after he reacted first to Kanu's flick-on.

    The second half was always going to be about whether United could find an equaliser - and they surely would have done if not for the form of James.

    He denied Ronaldo and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in quick succession before Lauren cleared the ball off the line.

    James then somehow tipped over a powerful Giggs shot and caught a Wes Brown header as United piled on the pressure.

    Portsmouth were not finished yet, however, and only a brilliant save by Van der Sar denied Sean Davis after he met Taylor's cross.

    United kept coming forward but Sir Alex Ferguson's side were left stunned when Ferdinand turned the ball into his own net in the final minute.

    Taylor's hopeful pass was meant for Lomano LuaLua but instead the England defender diverted it past Van der Sar on the ed
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
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