Pompey came back from the worst of starts to make the last sixteen of the Carling cup, an early penalty was cancelled out by goals from Aruna Dindane, Danny Webber and Vanden Borre.
Pompey made all the expected changes you would get for the Carling cup, Begovic came back in, Dindane debuted, Yebeda got a start along with Webber and Mullins returned to the fold.
Fans hopes were high of a needed confidence boost, but Mokoena is obviously not the best of learners, he tugged back Anyinsah in the box and Pompey conceded their 5th penalty of the season, Ian Harte’s trusty left boot did the rest.
Pompey were all over the shop for the first half hour, Kaboul’s drive wide the only real offer at goal, but all of a sudden they were level. Aruna Dindane was found in the box by Utaka, he skipped past the ‘keeper and cooly slotted home.
Webber obviously thought “I’ll have some of that” Yebeda crossed and found him unmarked to nod home. We might not have been that bright but we had our noses in front.
Second half and it was like the first had started all over again, Carlisle were on the front foot and Pompey looked all over the place once more, but like the first Pompey scored when up against it.
This time Dindane found Vanden Borre who scored his first for the blues with a right-footed shot.
Carlisle were still stretching the Pompey back line, but they held firm and only made their clumsy challenges out of the box this half.
Piquionne came on with only 3 minutes left and should really have scored a confidence booster, Pidgeley saving well from 12 yards.
Player Ratings
Begovic
Took a penalty to beat him
Vanden Borre
Scored one but still stretched.
Mokoena
Clumsy git
Kaboul
Still looks like the only defender who can do his job for 90 minutes.
Belhadj
No gimmes today, passed that mantle on.
Mullins
Did little wrong
Basinas
Bit part player now, must miss the Greek sun.
Yebda
Promising debut
Dindane
Played one, scored one, that’ll do for me!
Utaka
Bright spells, certainly seemed lively for periods
Webber
Goal on his full debut will do him no harm
Manager Rating
Pressure is still on Hart, but a win is a win, although Saturday is far more important.