Avram Grant's reign at Chelsea ended with defeat on penalties
to Manchester United and his first game in charge of Portsmouth
saw Red Devils forward Wayne Rooney score two crucial spot-kicks
within his hat-trick at Fratton Park.
Grant, who has taken over from Paul Hart and will be rubber-stamped
as manager next week when paperwork is completed, could not have
asked for a tougher opening game than against the Premier League
champions but there was hope of a result when Kevin-Prince Boateng
levelled, also with a penalty.
Sir Alex Ferguson served the first half of his two-match touchline
ban for criticising referee Alan Wiley and he may ask why Mike Dean
awarded Pompey their penalty - but he will have no complaints with
the way Rooney wrapped up the points after the break. Ryan Giggs
added the fourth late on.
Grant and Ferguson last faced each other 18 months ago during the
Champions League final in Moscow when John Terry lost his footing
in the penalty shoot-out and Chelsea let the European crown slip
away.
There was a downpour on this occasion too. This time Grant was
in charge of a team that started the weekend bottom of the league
and three points from their nearest rivals, while Ferguson was looking
to gain ground on leaders Chelsea.
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