Giggs rolls back the years... but you've got to feel sorry for Portsmouth

By Elaine Patrick in Manchester United Fans Blog

Published 12:04 30/11/09

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Portsmouth’s position of propping up the Premier League is a false one. Had Dindane shown more composure in front of goal and Kuszczak not pulled off some brilliant saves from O’Hara and Boateng then Pompey could have been out of sight before United got into the game.

The one goal that they did score was indicative of the lack of breaks they have endured. The same player that converted this week’s penalty, Boateng, was unable to produce the same outcome last week and as a result Paul Hart was replaced as manager.

You have to feel an element of sympathy for a club who until this season were riding high, getting to Cup Finals, boasting an array of footballing talents that are now plying their trade with the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool.

When you have as many changes of manager and owners as Portsmouth have it is bound to affect the player’s performance. Cue the latest to take the hot seat, Avram Grant and the omens didn’t look promising.

His record against the Laird of OT doesn’t make for good reading. Grant's Chelsea team was outplayed in their league encounter when United were on their way to a third successive title last season. He then faced them in the Champions League Final and was a slip away from winning it as he lost out on penalties. The man to score the winning penalty that day was there again today to haunt him and taunt his team, and that man is Ryan Giggs.

There were three outstanding performers on the day for United; Valencia, Rooney and Giggs. Valencia had his best game so far for the Red Devils with some excellent running and crosses. Rooney scored a hat-trick. But it was the perennial Peter Pan of OT who stole the show, Giggs; it is hard to believe he celebrated his 36th birthday last week.

United weathered the early Portsmouth storm and scored first, by virtue of a soft penalty awarded by Mike Dean for Brown’s clumsy challenge on Rooney. It was definitely a spot kick but Pompey fans felt Rooney made much of it, which is probably why Dean felt duty bound to even things up minutes later. Even the Portsmouth players didn’t know why their penalty had been awarded.

Not wishing to look a gift horse in the mouth, it was duly despatched by Boateng. Just as well that Fergie had been banished from the dugout for this match; he may very well have had something to say to the referee that would only have served to extend his touchline ban!

In the opening exchanges of the second half Giggs gave Portsmouth a taste of things to come. His pass split the Portsmouth defence only for Rooney to mis-control the ball. In less than two minutes Giggs again played a superb pass to Rooney who duly despatched the ball past Begovic who was deputising for the injured David James.

Giggs was involved in United’s third goal as he chased down a cross from Valencia and left Piquionne with a case of twisted blood as he ran rings round the Portsmouth player. Piquionne had no alternative but to bring Giggs down in the penalty area.

Cue the third penalty award of this match. Rooney duly obliged, securing his hat trick.

It was left until five minutes from time for Giggs to get the goal that his overall play deserved. He had gone close a few minutes earlier when Valencia had again outrun Hreidarsson and floated a super cross over to Giggs whose shot was saved by the goalie’s legs.

When Carrick was fouled on the edge of the Portsmouth area, it was a question of whether Rooney would take the free kick to claim his fourth goal or Giggs step in to secure his first goal in the match but his 100th in the Premier League? It was a no-brainer really. Rooney shaped up as if to take it and ran over the ball as Giggs' shot curled into the corner of the net.

United faced a tricky game at Portsmouth but came away with the points. Their next challenge is a Carling Cup quarter-final against Spurs. Expect Fergie to field his youngsters in that one as he tries to keep his more established stars fresh for what is turning out to be an open race for the title.

Elaine Patrick