Man Utd 2-1 Portsmouth, pre-season friendly in Nigeria
-
Eagles and Tevez on target in 2-1 victory in Nigeria
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.
Exciting
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Noe Pamarot and John Utaka were then withdrawn before the break due to injury with Linvoy Primus and Glen Little introduced.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.
-
EAGLESSSSSSSSSS HEEEEEE =) WE LOVE EAGLES WE LOVE EAGLES!
-
