The Blues are doing their part, starting the season with two wins while United has a win and a tie. United was able to get a 1-0 win against Portsmouth even without a number of their key players including Cristiano Ronaldo. Also missing were Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp believes it is a two-team race in the Premier League once again. “They are still so strong that I can see them and Chelsea being the two slugging it out again for the title. They will probably meet again in a repeat of the Champions League final too, I shouldn't wonder. Certainly, I think Arsenal and Liverpool have it all on to finish above them. Chelsea were very strong last week and United will be even stronger than they are now if they sign Dimitar Berbatov (from Tottenham), as I think they will, in the next few days."
United was able to secure the 1-0 win over Portsmouth thanks to a 33rd minute goal by Darren Fletcher. His shot was helped into the net by defender Sylvain Distin. Portsmouth has now lost their first two games this season after losing their last four a year ago. "We've been a good team over the past two seasons and I'm confident we'll be a decent team again. I went in at half-time feeling quite pleased with us but we ran out of steam in the second half and people like (Carlos) Tevez and (Wayne) Rooney just popped the ball about when the heat went out of the game.” Redknapp said.
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United manager Alex Ferguson was pleased with the result. "It was a bonus win. We only drew here last season and we lost the season before that. It is never an easy place to come but I thought we played good football."
United is playing the Soccer Betting European Super Cup on Friday against Zenit St. Petersburg and Ferguson has said he does want to win. That doesn’t mean all of his stars will play though. He may give Hargreaves some time in the match though to get him ready for league play. United must play Liverpool and Chelsea back-to-back, following their European Super Cup match on Friday.Chelsea was able to get a 1-0 win at Wigan thanks to a goal from Deco. It was not an impressive performance by the Blues but it kept them unbeaten to start the season.