Madrid, Juva, Not Pompey

THE RUN GOES ON

The Arsenal left Fratton park with just the one point instead of their usual three tonight, Pompey falling foul to the third world-class goal in a week.

The expected line-up changes never occurred, Redknapp fielding the same team again, a decision vindicated by the immense performance of Linvoy Primus at the heart of defence.
Pompey started bright enough without a worthwhile effort at goal, but just after the half-hour they shot themselves in the foot for the second time in a week, this time Sean Davis losing the ball near the edge of the area, and the one man you don’t want the ball landing to is Henry, he still had plenty to do but smashed the ball in from the edge of the area. Arsenal could of added to their tally as the half drew to a close, but Adebayor missed a sitter from Henrys cross. The closest Pompey came was Benjani’s snap shot from a superb D’Allesandro cross.

After a long spell of treatment to Sol Campbell the second half got under way, Pompey still probing without really threatening Lehmann, and Adebayor missing another easy headed chance.
This time Pompey made Arsenal pay, D’Allesandro whipped in a cracking cross from the right and Lua Lua did the rest, with his fourth goal in four. This was to be his last contribution as he twisted an ankle doing his flips, as Todorov had just entered the fray in place of Benjani (who had another much improved game) Hughes came on to shore up the midfield. The rest of the game was all about containment, and Pompey held off a late push for the points by Arsenal for a superb point.

Special credit must be given to Linvoy Primus who won almost everything at the back, and the full-back duo of Priske and Taylor who defended and bombed forward all game with energy and verve, and Mendes who tackled fiendishly in midfield and still found time for a couple of his long-range bombs at goal.

Roll on the Boro’!

Play up Pompey

Paul

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