Manchester United concluded
their African tour with a 2-1 victory over Premier League rivals
Portsmouth in Nigeria.
It appeared as though it may be a frustrating night for Sir Alex
Ferguson's men when Carlos Tevez missed a penalty in a goalless
first half, but Chris Eagles broke the deadlock five minutes after
the interval and Tevez then found the target emphatically.
Jermain Defoe pulled one back for Pompey late on but there was
no time to force an equaliser.
Portsmouth and Manchester United will contest the Community
Shield in two weeks and meet in the Premier League at Fratton Park
before the end August.
Both managers would have liked to gain a psychological advantage
ahead of the future battles and sent out strong starting XIs, with
United showing eight changes from the side that beat Kaizer Chiefs
on Saturday.
United were presented with the opportunity to draw first blood
when Glen Johnson's foul on Fraizer Campbell after five minutes
resulted in a penalty.
Tevez stepped up and slotted his spot-kick past David James, but
the referee mysteriously asked for a retake and the Argentine was
less successful with his second attempt, blasting his effort
against the crossbar.
Roared on by a passionate crowd, United controlled the first
half but spurned a number of chances to take the lead as James
denied Eagles and Campbell, while Eagles shot wide after going
through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Defoe and Peter Crouch showed only glimpses of a potentially
exciting partnership for Portsmouth, and Harry Redknapp's side
never threatened apart from a wayward strike from distance from the
former Liverpool striker.
Noe Pamarot and John Utaka were then withdrawn before the break
due to injury with Linvoy Primus and Glen Little introduced.
United continued to hold sway at the start of the second half
and deservedly went ahead on 50 minutes, Eagles atoning for his
earlier miss with a powerful finish after some sloppy
defending.
Pompey fought hard to try and get back into the game but United
looked more fluent in possession and doubled their advantage on 62
minutes.
Tevez grabbed the goal as he charged towards the edge of the
area and slammed a ferocious shot past James at his near post.
The tempo slowed in the closing stages and there were few
openings at either end, although James produced an excellent save
to keep out Paul Scholes' long-range drive.
Young goalkeeper Ben Amos came on for the final 15 minutes for
United but he could not keep a clean sheet as Defoe slotted home
expertly to set up a tense finale.
However, it proved to be mere consolation for Pompey as United
held on for another morale-boosting victory.
