Man City Demolish Poor Pompey

Manchester City comprehensively dismantled Portsmouth as they cruised to a 6- 0 victory over the FA Cup holders in a wholly one-sided affair at the City of Manchester stadium.

Brazilian Jo followed up his midweek brace with the opener, before captain Richard Dunne added a second shortly after.

On-song Stephen Ireland had a key role in the next two strikes, setting up Robinho for his second for the club and then Shaun Wright-Phillips to make it 4-0.

Youngster Ched Evans added a fifth before Gelson Fernandes added insult to injury to complete the rout.

First Half

Having been unveiled to the fans prior to kick-off having formally completed the takeover of City, Khaldoon Al Mubarak had little time to wait for the entertainment as Jo and Robinho linked up superbly to send the latter through in the opening minutes, and the subsequent shot forced David James to save at full stretch.

Wright-Phillips' persistent gallops down the right were causing havoc from the off, but it was the Brazilian duo up front for City that once again carved an opening after just 13 minutes, with Jo eventually collecting his team-mate's pass and rounding James before slotting his side in front.

It was two shortly after, with Elano's cross met by the head of Dunne who directed the ball into the open goal, sparking wild celebrations around the 29-year old on his birthday.

Peter Crouch had a glaring opportunity to bring his side back into the game as Glen Johnson snuck behind Dunne and cut the ball back, but the England international succeeded only in playing the ball wide of the post.

The visitors endeavoured to find a goal of their own, and Pablo Zabaleta had to be alert to block Sol Campbell's header on the line.

Second Half

So far, so comfortable for the hosts, and processions became even more favourable for them just ten minutes into the second half. Ireland played a clever chip over the head of Sylvain Distin into the path of Jo, and the forward fed Robinho who in turn curled the ball beyond James from 15 yards.

Another ten minutes passed and Ireland was on hand to set up a teammate once again, this time Wright-Phillips benefitting from his array of passing qualities as he collected a through ball and blasted the ball beyond the Pompey shot-stopper at his near post.

The onlooking crowd barely had chance to catch breath, and another sublime attacking move by the Eastlanders saw Robinho collect Elano's pass, play the ball inside to Wright-Phillips and the diminutive midfielder back-heeled into the path of Evans who did the rest. It was a lovely move, and Wright-Phillips contribution in particular caught the visiting defence flat-footed.

The icing was added to the proverbial cake as James made a hash of Javier Garrido's cross to conclude a humiliating afternoon for the veteran stopper. Fernandes was on-hand to knock the ball into the goal to cap off a marvellous afternoon for Mark Hughes, while Harry Redknapp will return to the south coast in furious spirits.

Will Wood