Triple Own Goal Adds To Old Trafford Woe

Last updated : 07 February 2010 By Jim Bonner
It's not often that a team goes to Old Trafford and outscores Manchester United but that's what Pompey did yesterday. Unfortunately, all three goals went into our own net which just piled on the misery during a humiliating defeat.

Before the game there were fans handing out yellow and green scarves which were held high during the minute's silence to respect the anniversary of the Munich crash.

The yellow and green scarves are also the colours of Newton Heath, the club that Manchester United were before they became the corporate powerhouse that they are known as today.

The scarves are supposed to be a form of protest against the Glazers, but to me it just looked like the United fans had converted to supporting Norwich City.

Avram Grant rested some key players as he obviously has Tuesday's game with Sunderland in mind, but the weakened side did create a couple of chances against the champions during the first half.

Vanden Borre had his fierce drive palmed away by Van der Sar after a quick counter-attack and then Nadir Belhadj also had his stinger saved, and blazed the rebound over.

In truth though, Pompey were camped in their own half as United dominated and it was only a matter of time before the resistance broke and the first goal came after 40 minutes after the hosts worked a short corner and Rooney headed in from about three yards.

As I predicted, Pompey fell apart after Rooney's opener and on the stroke of half time, Nani's tame effort ricocheted off the toe of Vanden Borre which wrongfooted David James and rolled into the back of the net. I might be being harsh but I still think England's number one goalkeeper should have stopped that.

With the game effectively over as a contest I was happy to just take a respectable defeat and get out of there. However, things were going to get worse.

United didn't let up after the break and the game's second own goal came when Carrick's long range shot deflected off of Richard Hughes and crashed over the line via the crossbar.

Poor defending was to blame for the fourth goal. Tal Ben-Haim tracked Berbatov but let him get away for a split second, nobody closed the Bulgarian down and he turned and unleashed a shot into the bottom corner that James couldn't reach.

The fifth goal came soon after as Marc Wilson sublimely volleyed in Evra's cross after Nani headed it on. It could have been worse as Berbatov, Valencia and Owen all missed sitters, whilst Pompey couldn't even grab a consolation goal at the other end when Webber slipped with the goal at his mercy.

The journey home wasn't too great as we ran into the Guildford and Southern (based near Fareham) supporters club buses. They also taunted us after we pointed them in the direction of Manchester which they responded to by gloating that they'll still be in business this time next week and whilst that may be true, they also seemed oblivious/ignorant to their club's own £715 million debt.

So all-in-all it was a terrible day for Pompey fans ahead of one of the most crucial weeks in the club's history.

Sunderland come to Fratton Park on Tuesday in a game we must win to have any hope of staying alive, Wednesday is the hearing for the winding-up order though with prospective buyers "interested" in investing in the club, that case could be pushed back, then comes the derby on Saturday.

I expect more twists and turns to come before then.

Pompey Player Ratings

David James: 5 - One great save from Valencia, but should have done better with a couple of the goals.

Anthony Vanden Borre: 6 - Got forward well, but defending is questionable.

Ricardo Rocha: 5 - A debut he'll want to forget.

Marc Wilson: 5 - Has had better days, but great own goal though...

Tal Ben-Haim: 4 - Really struggled.

Richard Hughes: 4 - Still can't pass forward.

Hayden Mullins: 4 - Outbattled in midfield.

Jamie O'Hara: 6 - Worked hard and saw more of the ball than any other Pompey player.

Nadir Belhadj: 6 - Did well going forward.

Frederic Piquionne: 6 - Chased everything.

Danny Webber: 6 - Caused a few problems when he did get the ball.

Substitutes

Jamie Ashdown

Steve Finnan

Hassan Yebda (O'Hara 75): N/A - Not much time.

Angelos Basinas

Kevin-Prince Boateng (Vanden Borre 59): 5 - Didn't do anything.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie (Piquionne 67): 6 - One great little run towards the end.

Aruna Dindane