United back on top but Fergie has the hump

Sir Alex Ferguson launched a stinging attack on his Manchester United players for their casual approach against Portsmouth at Old Trafford last night.

Wayne Rooney scored early on but the second goal from Michael Carrick which secured the 2-0 win came with only eight minutes to play.

Stretching their advantage: Wayne Rooney thanks Ryan Giggs for setting up his early goal

The victory took United back to the top of the Barclays Premier League above Liverpool but the manager was furious that victory was not achieved more emphatically and led him to question his players' commitment.

He said: 'Having seen that second-half performance I am taking nothing for granted. We have to put our foot down.

'I don't think we have any leeway if we don't perform. We were far too casual. We should have been five or six up at half-time but in the second half I was thinking we were going to throw it away.'

Furious: Ferguson lets rip at his 'casual' players

United were not at their best but were in control once Rooney converted a Ryan Giggs cross in only the ninth minute.

Thick of the action: Crouch surrounded by Scholes, Evans and Evra

Portsmouth came into the game in the second half and briefly threatened before Paul Scholes marked his 600th appearance for United by playing in Carrick for the clincher.

Carrick added: 'I don't know what there is left to say about players like Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

'They are unbelievable professionals. They have talent and ability and everybody can learn from them.'

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink conceded that his side's title challenge was over after they dropped two points in a goalless draw at home to Everton.

Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Portsmouth

As the old saying goes, it was a six-pointer at the Riverside this afternoon and unfortunately for both sides, the game ended in a draw.

Yes, both Middlesbrough and Portsmouth remain right, slap bang in the middle of a relegation dog fight after they drew 1-1 this afternoon. It's a three points which Gareth Southgate or Paul Hart could have really used right now, however both will have to be satisfied with a single point after the hosts came from a goal down to leave the visitors to contemplate what might have been.

Boro now face an uphill task to maintain their Premier League status with just nine games to go. They currently sit 19th in the league, two points behind Pompey in 17th and with difficult trips to Stoke City and Bolton coming up next, it would take a brave man to predict Boro will survive.

Meanwhile, Pompey also have a massive fight on their hands to stay up this season, with the south coast club only evading the relegation zone on goal difference. They, too have a difficult fixtures coming up with the likes of Everton and Arsenal still to visit Fratton Park in the run-in.