Pompey may be all over as far as the Premiership is concerned, but with the Cup final to look forward to, the players kept fighting on the pitch with a comeback that would have elated us a few weeks back.
Pompey could start with Dindane for the first time since the semi-final, he was to prove pivotal later, Sowah got another run-out at left-back and is starting to settle in, while Utaka got another chance up front with Tommy Smith completing an attacking line-up.
Pompey were under the cosh early on, Taylor forcing a fine save from James with a header, and then Klasnic doing likewise with a turn and shot. After this early pressure John Utaka decided to let fly, his strike from the edge of the area forcing Jaaskelainen into his first meaningful action.
Pompey were just starting to gain the initative when it all went horribly wrong in 5 minutes, first the on-loan Jack Wilshere crossed for Klasnic to head home and then Weiss made a great run down the right and left Davies with a tap-in, Pompey appealed for off-side but the goal stood.
Smith decided to try and return the medicine at the other end, but his shot struck the post and not net.
Sowah was getting a firm test from the livewire Weiss, but he was sticking to his task and making a few good blocks.
The half ended and Pompey loked they might of given up the ghost, but Avram decided to go for it by replacing Yebda with Piquionne, a move that would seem inspired in a short while.
On 55 minutes Dindane played Piquionne in out wide, his centre found the Ivorian once more and he placed/scuffed his shot into the bottom corner, game on.
Piquionne nearly brought us level minutes later, but this time Jaaskelainen saved form his header from a Vanden Borre centre.
Smith had time to smuggle a Davies header away from a post and the Dindane completed the comeback, Utaka robbed Cahill of possesion and squared for Dindane to tap home, parity was restored.
With 25 minutes to go, both teams fancied a win bonus, Piquionne threatened once more and Davies and Elmander tried to beat James, the score was to stay level however, Davies’ injury time strike against a post the close as it came.
Pompey were showing once more that the fire is still there in the belly.
Share this article
