Updated: March 8, 2008, 10:17 AM ET
The Ghana midfielder ended Manchester United's dream of winning
the treble for the first time in nine years with a penalty 13
minutes from time to end years of hurt at the ground for
Portsmouth.
The last time Pompey won at Old Trafford was in 1957 and they
have endured seven successive defeats since - the last one as
recently as January.
United will wonder how they lost this match - which they
finished with 10 men, after replacement goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak
was sent off for bringing down substitute Milan Baros.
They dominated possession and almost went ahead in the fifth
minute when Paul Scholes got on the end of a free-kick from Nani,
only to head wide at the near post.
Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had won a penalty a minute later
when he was bundled over by Sylvain Distin, but referee Martin
Atkinson allowed play to continue.
Portsmouth were keeping a close eye on Ronaldo and Papa Bouba
Diop was booked for dragging his opponent back in the 10th
minute.
The visitors broke out of their slumber six minutes later, when
Niko Kranjcar tested goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from
distance.
United almost took the lead in the 19th minute when Carlos Tevez
got clear, after Wayne Rooney latched onto a pass from Wes Brown,
but the Argentinian striker saw his shot superbly headed off the
line by Glen Johnson.
United kept up the pressure and Scholes turned quickly in the
28th minute but saw his effort blocked by Portsmouth captain Sol
Campbell.
Tevez worked an opening for himself four minutes later and fired
in a shot that David James did well to parry.
Lassana Diarra was then booked for a challenge on Ronaldo as
United maintained the momentum.
Nani tried to pick out Rooney, but Distin was alert to the
danger and made a timely interception in the 41st minute.
Distin again stood tall in the 44th minute to head the ball to
safety following a fine cross from Patrice Evra.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a surprise switch at
half-time, with Kuszczak replacing van der Sar.
There was a scare for Portsmouth in the 49th minute when James
flapped at a cross from Tevez, but he recovered in time to prevent
Nani getting in a shot.
Nani was coming more into the game and sent a powerful effort
into the goalkeeper's body two minutes later, after being released
by Rooney.
Then Rooney was wasteful after Ronaldo had picked him out -
sending a shot high into the crowd.
With Kanu out of luck, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp replaced
him with Baros after 55 minutes.
United almost went in front three minutes later when Nemanja
Vidic powered in a header from Nani's corner.
But Tevez made an accidental block and Ronaldo fired his effort
wide after the ball had been only partially cleared.
Play switched back down the other end and Baros got away from
Owen Hargreaves in the 61st minute but was adjudged to have strayed
offside.
Substitute Michael Carrick should have put United ahead in the
69th minute when he eluded James - but just as he was about to tap
in, Distin made a vital tackle on the line.
United came within inches of taking the lead in the 73rd minute
when Evra's shot came back off the post.
A minute later Campbell headed away a cross from Nani as
Portsmouth again found themselves on the back foot.
But the game took a dramatic turn in the 77th minute when
Portsmouth were awarded a penalty after Kuszczak tripped Baros, who
had been released by Kranjcar.
The Polish goalkeeper was sent off and Rio Ferdinand took his
place between the posts.
Although the defender correctly guessed the direction of
Muntari's spot-kick, it was superbly placed in the right-hand
corner and earned Portsmouth an unlikely victory.
