Muntari fires Pompey to fifth

Sulley Muntari scored two superb goals as Portsmouth won 3-1 at Aston Villa on Saturday to move up to fifth in the English Premier League. Villa dominated the match for long periods and missed golden chances to score and Portsmouth completed a smash-and-grab victory to make it six consecutive away wins in the league.
An own goal from Craig Gardner gave Portsmouth a fortuitous lead after just 10 minutes.
Villa should have equalised and gone ahead but Martin Laursen missed two easy chances with his head and Portsmouth rubbed salt into their wounds with a second goal as Muntari curled a brilliant shot beyond Scott Carson five minutes before half-time.

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Villa pressed hard at the start of the second half and David James made a couple of vital saves before Muntari bent a superb strike for Portsmouth's third.

VIDEO: Goal # 2

Gareth Barry scored from the penalty spot with 18 minutes to go and Gabriel Agbonlahor headed onto the crossbar in the 90th minute but Portsmouth hung on to move onto 30 points, just behind Liverpool on goal difference.
Later on Saturday, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool will all bid to close the gap on leaders Arsenal.
United entertain Derby, Chelsea host Sunderland and Liverpool travel to Reading.