Rooney hat-trick seals United win

Avram Grant's reign at Chelsea ended with defeat on penalties to Manchester United and his first game in charge of Portsmouth saw Wayne Rooney score two crucial spot-kicks within his hat-trick in a 4-1 win 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 Barclays 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.

Despite Pompey's early attacks, United were ahead in the 25th minute through Rooney who was tripped by Michael Brown but got to his feet to tuck away the penalty.

Pompey were level on the half-hour mark, although why Dean awarded it was open to debate. Tomasz Kuszczak climbed above Frederic Piquionne, who appeared to have his shirt pulled by Nemanja Vidic.

With United in shock, Boateng smashed in the penalty after missing against Stoke last time out.

They enjoyed a spell of pressure before the break but United were ahead three minutes after the restart.

There was nothing controversial about this effort, Giggs weighting the ball perfectly for Rooney to finish.

His hat-trick came in the 54th minute, from the spot, Piquionne penalised for fouling Giggs before Rooney sent Asmir Begovic the wrong way from 12 yards.

Giggs netted with a free-kick three minutes from full-time for the fourth goal, while John Utaka hit the crossbar with a scissors-kick at the death for Pompey.