Death Knell chimes to end Pompey Cup run

Manchester United 4 Portsmouth 1

Manchester United 4 Portsmouth 1

Ruud van Nistelrooy's penalty double sank plucky Portsmouth after a thrilling FA Cup tie at Old Trafford this afternoon.

The Dutchman's first spot-kick strike was quickly followed by a David Beckham free-kick as United threatened to run away with the contest inside the first 17 minutes.

But Steve Stone's close range effort just before the break inspired a second-half revival and Nigel Quashie should have brought Pompey level before van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes finished them off with a late flurry.

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Portsmouth continued to push forward and Taylor nodded Stone's far post cross wide before Foxe committed suicide at the other end nine minutes from time.

Van Nistelrooy was heading nowhere when he took possession inside the Portsmouth box. The Dutchman headed for the by-line more in hope than expectation but Foxe dived in anyway, cutting van Nistelrooy down.

Again the penalty award was straightforward and the sense of deja-vu continued as van Nistelrooy struck his shot to the same corner, with Hislop heading in the opposite direction.

Todorov had the ball in the net almost immediately, ramming home Taylor's cross from close range only to be flagged offside.

It signalled the end of Pompey's brave fight before Scholes' chipped home a fourth in the final minute.

PA