Stone's goal almost ends United's league title hopes
LONDON, April 17: Relegation-haunted Portsmouth took an option on securing a second season of English Premiership football when they pulled off a 1-0 win over champions Manchester United at Fratton Park on Saturday.
United had no reply to former England midfielder Steve Stone's 36th-minute strike which kept United in third place behind Chelsea, who failed to take advantage when they could only manage a scoreless draw at home to Everton.
Pompey's win lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone - and gave them their first victory over United since 1957.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was delighted with the first league victory over United in his managerial career.
"It's not very often you beat Manchester United so to beat them was great, especially in the circumstances," said Redknapp.
"We need points and we have now taken 13 points out of the last 15, but we're not there till we're over the winning line," he added.
Chelsea meanwhile had several chances against the Merseysiders and their latest league setback, following last weekend's 3-2 away defeat to Aston Villa, will provide further ammunition to Claudio Ranieiri's detractors.
Scott Parker squared the ball for Frank Lampard 24 minutes in but his fellow England midfielder's shot hit the crossbar.
Chelsea hitman Adrian Mutu then headed over the bar from six yards out following a corner before Marco Ambrosio produced a brilliant save with his legs to keep out Everton starlet Wayne Rooney's effort.
Chelsea defender William Gallas strained his hamstring and is very doubtful for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg in Monaco.
Southampton put Manchester City deeper into relegation trouble with a 3-1 victory at the City of Manchester stadium.
Latvia striker Marian Pahars, making his first start for two months, beat City's China full-back Sun Jihai and crossed for James Beattie who headed his 13th Premiership goal of the season past England keeper David James on 34 minutes.
Kevin Phillips made it 2-0 after 55 minutes, finishing off Beattie's cross with a free header from close-range and scored a second with nine minutes remaining after Nicolas Anelka had given City a glimmer of hope with a strike three minutes earlier.
Liverpool's scoreless home draw against Fulham has handed the advantage to Newcastle in the race for the fourth Champions League spot.
Reds skipper Steven Gerrard stepped up to take a controversial second-half spot kick, instead of regular taker Michael Owen, and his miss served to only underline Liverpool's poor record from the spot.
Referee Steve Bennett's decision against Fulham defender Bobby Petta seemed harsh and keeper Edwin van der Sar was equal to Gerrard's shot.
If Newcastle win at Aston Villa on Sunday, the UEFA Cup semi-finalists will leapfrog the Reds with a two-point advantage and a game in hand.
Blackburn Rovers eased their relegation fears with a second straight win, beating fellow strugglers Leicester 1-0 at Ewood Park.
Leicester are now nine points from safety in the drop zone but Nikos Dabizas' own goal lifts Blackburn five points clear of the relegation places.
Former Manchester United marskman Andy Cole burst into the box and crossed for Jon Stead, but Leicester defender Dabizas turned the ball past keeper Ian Walker three minutes before the interval to dent the Foxes' chances of staying in the Premiership.
Matthew Holland rescued Charlton's Champions League ambitions with a header four minutes from time against Birmingham at the Valley.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder headed in Chris Powell's cross to cancel out countryman Clinton Morrison's header for Birmingham two minutes earlier.
Charlton remain three points off fourth place in the table with Birmingham a point behind them.
Wolves kept their slim hopes of Premiership survival alive at Molineux against League Cup holders Middlesbrough thanks to Carl Cort's 28th-minute header and Henri Camara's second-half strike.
Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer saved a Camara penalty just before the final whistle.
Bolton Wanderers eased past Tottenham with a 2-0 win at the Reebok stadium.
Former Real Madrid defender Ivan Campo struck a Jay-Jay Okocha cross from 25-yards that swung under visiting keeper Kasey Keller seven minutes in.
Henrik Pedersen made it two with 25 minutes to go when he jinked through the Tottenham defence before toepoking his finish.
Earlier on Friday, irresistible Thierry Henry scored four times as Premier League leaders Arsenal walloped struggling Leeds United 5-0.
With five games left, Arsenal moved within touching distance of the title on 81 points from 33 matches, 10 clear of second-placed Chelsea and 13 ahead of Manchester United.
Leeds were the last team to beat Arsenal in the league when they scuppered the Gunners' title bid last season in a 3-2 win on May 4.
But it was obvious as soon as Robert Pires opened the scoring in the sixth minute there would be no repeat on Friday.
Henry followed up with three superb finishes and a delightfully taken penalty between the 27th and 67th minutes
A week ago the Frenchman scored three goals in a 4-2 win over Liverpool and he has now scored five hat-tricks for Arsenal.
Arsene Wenger's side have moved on to a record 33-match undefeated league run in a single season, but Leeds remain deep in relegation trouble in 18th place.
