The Nigerian Village Square - Kanu at the double again as Portsmouth humble Middlesbrough

Kanu at the double again as Portsmouth humble Middlesbrough

Tuesday, 29 August 2006

Revived Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu scored his second double of the season on Monday as Portsmouth's outstanding start to the season continued with a 4-0 humbling of Middlesbrough.

Zimbabwean international striker Benjani Mwaruwari scored one and substitute Svetoslav Todorov - who came on for an injured Kanu late in the match - a last minute goal as Portsmouth rose to second in the Premiership with their first top flight win away over Middlesbrogh since September 1949 when they went on to retain the title.

It also maintained their proud record of being the only Premiership side not to have conceded a goal and brough 'Boro back to earth after their shock defeat of champions Chelsea last week.

Portsmouth took the lead in the sixth minute as Kanu, who has taken on a new lease of life since he signed earlier this month after being released by West Brom, prodded home past Mark Schwarzer from inside the box.

It was rough justice on the Australian 'keeper, who had produced a superb save to concede a corner from Dejan Stankovic's freekick prior to the goal.

Indeed Schawrzer produced another top class save to thwart Kanu in the 38th minute as he just got his fignertips to the shot to turn it away for a corner.

The hosts had several chances all from 31-year-old Kanu's former international team-mate Aiyegbeni Yakubu but the former Pompey marksman found error prone ex-England 'keeper David James in solid form as he saved both chances, one a header and the other a shot.

However 'Boro were hit with another early goal in the second-half as the impressive Benjani Mwaruwari headed David Thompson's cross past Schwarzer to all but wrap up the match.

While James had to tip a Chris Riggott header round his post shortly afterwards the match was over as a contest when Kanu made it 3-0 as his shot from inside the penalty area gave Schwarzer no chance.

Middlesbrough rarely threatened after that with James having to make just two saves from Lee Cattermole and then another header by Riggott.

However Pompey rubbed salt into the hosts wounds as Todorov produced a delightful lob from the edge of the area to beat Schwarzer and perhaps put a more realistic tint to 'Boro's ambitions for the season. - AFP/de

Robot Robot is offline
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	# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot\| 29.08.2006 00:09

Odinaka Odinaka is offline
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	# 2 This young man has become more than the cat with nine lives. He really needs to be full of grateful to God every day of his life. Posted by Odinaka\| 29.08.2006 03:47

YAShuaib YAShuaib is online


	# 3 As a NIgerian, I am very proud of Kalu for taking every challenge calmly and humbly which have seen him surmounting every hurdles successfully. He is not a player who will insist on playing with a team of the moment, like Mikel Obi childishness with Chelsea after signing in with Manchester United. Kalu doent worship money, like many other players but he contributes immesenly to the well-being and welfare of the less privilegded in the society through hir Kalu Foundation. We thank God for making him a new star from not so popular team against starstudded teams, the dream of hungry players. YAShuaib Posted by YAShuaib\| 29.08.2006 06:06

falcon falcon is offline
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	# 4 @ YAShuaib Let us just celebrate Kanu and rejoice with him. There is no need to bash Mikel Obi in the course of doing that. If Kanu had the possibility of picking a club to play for he will not be with Portsmouth. All players want to be in the best club and they all hope to shine there but as we all know that is not always possible thus they limit their hope to shining wherever they are. That is happening to Kanu now so please let us celebrate and rejoice with him. No need to bash anybody. Posted by falcon\| 29.08.2006 10:39

Big-K Big-K is offline
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	# 5 Is Kanu Nigeria's best soccer player ever? Posted by Big-K\| 29.08.2006 14:46

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