EPL Week 2: Manchester United Defeats Portsmouth 1-0
August 27th 2008 05:34
Sorry for the delay, folks. I've been pretty busy these past few days and couldn't find time to write this match report. There isn't a lot to say about this game so I'll just point out a couple of things.
It was the third meeting between the two teams if you count a pre-season friendly and the Community Shield game, and still, Portsmouth were unable to decently support Crouch and Defoe. This time around, Manchester couldn't count on Giggs and Carrick since both players are injured. Instead, Anderson – returning from the Olympics – and O'Shea completed the midfield alongside Scholes and Fletcher.
Anderson had a huge game two days ago. I used to hate him because he seemed to commit too many fouls last season like a poor man's version of Scholes, but he seems to have matured, and his energy was a welcome addition in midfield.
Since Giggs was out, Evra practically took the whole left wing to himself, running up and down like a mad man. Fortunately, he often had the support of Rooney and Tevez, so he didn't burn out towards the end of the game.
With his two goals in two matches, Fletcher has reached his goal tally from last season. Playing in Ronaldo's place, the Scottish midfielder is taking advantage of this chance but he still isn't good enough.
In front, Rooney is still not quite there yet with his reaction time. Furthermore, I get the feeling that he's getting frustrated with himself with so much pressure on him to score more goals. He had a couple of great chances on Monday, he'll come along.
So, it's three points for the Red Devils, they now sit in fifth place, two points away from the top 2. Coming up for them is the UEFA Super Cup on Friday, and their next league game will be two weeks later since the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers start next week.
Manchester United's line-up: Edwin Van der Sar; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, John O'Shea, Anderson (Rodrigo Possebon, 75th); Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney.
It was the third meeting between the two teams if you count a pre-season friendly and the Community Shield game, and still, Portsmouth were unable to decently support Crouch and Defoe. This time around, Manchester couldn't count on Giggs and Carrick since both players are injured. Instead, Anderson – returning from the Olympics – and O'Shea completed the midfield alongside Scholes and Fletcher.
Anderson had a huge game two days ago. I used to hate him because he seemed to commit too many fouls last season like a poor man's version of Scholes, but he seems to have matured, and his energy was a welcome addition in midfield.
Since Giggs was out, Evra practically took the whole left wing to himself, running up and down like a mad man. Fortunately, he often had the support of Rooney and Tevez, so he didn't burn out towards the end of the game.
With his two goals in two matches, Fletcher has reached his goal tally from last season. Playing in Ronaldo's place, the Scottish midfielder is taking advantage of this chance but he still isn't good enough.
In front, Rooney is still not quite there yet with his reaction time. Furthermore, I get the feeling that he's getting frustrated with himself with so much pressure on him to score more goals. He had a couple of great chances on Monday, he'll come along.
So, it's three points for the Red Devils, they now sit in fifth place, two points away from the top 2. Coming up for them is the UEFA Super Cup on Friday, and their next league game will be two weeks later since the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers start next week.
Manchester United's line-up: Edwin Van der Sar; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, John O'Shea, Anderson (Rodrigo Possebon, 75th); Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney.
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