Manchester United shot back to the top of the Premier League (albeit temporarily) without breaking a sweat as Portsmouth left Trafford on the bad end of a 5-0 shutdown.

Porthmouth themselves helped put United out on top with “own-goals” by players: Anthony Vanden Borre and Marc Wilson, while a deflection off Richard Hughes assisted United’s third goal.

United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar made a fine save from Anthony Vanden Borre’s quick 13th minute shot, while Jonny Evans cleared Nadir Belhadj’s 28 minute drive off the line.

Portsmouth’s marking was inferior in the 40th minute when Darren Fletcher crossed from the right and Wayne Rooney nipped in between two defenders and goal keeper David James to head home from four yards.

It was Rooney’s 21st league, and 23rd overall goal, of the season and the England star played his part in the second goal in the dying seconds of the first half.

Rooney’s crisp pass found Nani on the left side of the Portsmouth box and his well thought out shot from ten yards was deflected off Vanden Borre into the net, with James also getting a touch before the ball crossed the line at the near post.

Things went from bad to worse for Portsmouth in the 59th minute when Michael Carrick’s 22-yard shot was deflected in off Hughes, with the ball going in off the underside of the bar.

Dimitar Berbatov, who missed a first-half sitter from six yards, showed great skill when he toyed with Tal Ben Haim in the Portsmouth’s penalty area before scoring with a low shot from 15 yards.

Portmouth’s troubles peaked in United’s fifth goal in the 69th minute. Nani headed on Patrice Evra’s cross from the left and Wilson, attempted to clear, hammered the ball into the roof of his own net from six yards.

It was a very exciting game to watch, and a long waited game against Portsmouth. The next game is on Feb. 10th against Aston Villa.

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