It was a bright start from the home side as they looked to pick up only their second win in eight games, with Anthony Stokes and Dean Whitehead having efforts saved by David James in the Portsmouth goal.
The visitors, however, had an excellent opportunity to take the lead when towering defender Hermann Hreidarsson rose above the Sunderland defence to connect with Pedro Mendes’ lofted free-kick, heading it towards the unmarked Benjani Mwaruwari but the Zimbabwean’s scuffed volley flew across Craig Gordon’s goal, much to relief of the home crowd.
The visitors continued to press for an early goal, with David Nugent and Niko Kranjcar both seeing efforts saved by Gordon who looked set to be occupied for the afternoon.
Just as Portsmouth looked to be establishing themselves on the game, though, Sunderland began to gain in confidence, with veteran forward Dwight Yorke playing in a more withdrawn role for the Weersiders and becoming increasingly instrumental in creating several chances for his side, Stokes’ powerful header evading David James goal by inches and Daryl Murphy’s daisy cutter just going wide of the right-hand post.
Roy Keane’s men were looking increasingly likely to break the deadlock and it was no surprise when, with 32 minutes on the clock, Kenwyne Jones shrugged off Sol Campbell’s tackle to collect Evans’ long-pass down the flank, and the Trinidad and Tobago international laid a simple pass to former Manchester United midfielder Keiran Richardson who calmly slotted it past the helpless James, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Portsmouth went in search of a quick-fire equaliser as they looked to continue the away form that has seen them win eight of their 11 games on the road, Hreidarsson once again causing problems in the Sunderland penalty area from set pieces, rising to meet Mendes’ right-footed cross, but Evans was there to clear to safety.
The Black Cats delivered a major blow to Harry Redknapp’s men a minute before the interval, Richardson scoring his second of the afternoon when he latched on to Murphy’s lay-off and angled his shot past James who was helpless to prevent the goal. Keane would have been delighted going into the dressing-room in the rare position of holding a two-goal advantage.
Sunderland began the second-half in much the same way as the first, pressing for a third to kill off the game. Both sides were willing to commit men in attack which created openings for their opponents but it was Sunderland once again who looked more threatening in their opponents half and it seemed that Redknapp’s half-time instructions seemed to go amiss on some of his players.
The 60-year old must have been livid as his players allowed Richardson to break way from his marker and unleash a 25-yard effort which struck Portsmouth’s crossbar, the 23-year old coming within a whisker of completing his hat-trick.
Sunderland did allow Pompey several chances, with Mendes, who is a threat from 30-yards inwards, unleashing on goal but Evans was there once again to block the shot. Redknapp was becoming increasingly animated as he watched his side struggle to break down the stern home defence and his frustration prompted him to replace the ineffective Arnold Mvuemba with Franck Songo’o, but they continued to lack potency in the final-third for a side that has beaten Aston Villa and Newcastle away.
The game’s momentum began to fall away in the final twenty minutes which suited Sunderland, and the eighteenth-placed side were looking comfortable enough for Keane to withdraw Jones, who was a handful for the visitor’s defence throughout the game, replacing him with Roy O’Donovan.
As the away support began to vacate their seats and exit the stadium, it was Sunderland who looked the more motivated to score again as the fans, who were recently voted the loudest in the league, demanded a third. Richardson and Liam Miller combined in the centre to create an opening but the latter’s effort flew well wide of James’ goal. The closest Pompey came to getting a consolation goal was Mendes’ ambitious attempt to beat Gordon from the left-hand side of the box but, as was the story of Portsmouth’s afternoon, it went wide.
Processions were drawn to a close by referee Chris Foy and Keane will be delighted that his side managed to hold on for victory against the odds, and equally pleased that they managed to keep only their third clean-sheet of the season in what were a crucial three points. While the result doesn’t lift the Weersiders out of the relegation zone, it places them alongside Wigan, Birmingham and Bolton on 20 points and with every chance of escaping the drop if they can carry this performance into the remainder of their games this season.
Portsmouth fell well below the standards they have set themselves as they occupy eighth in the table and the result caused them to miss out on the opportunity to close the gap on the European qualification spaces above them.
In truth, Redknapp’s men never truly looked capable of getting back into the game after Richardson’s second strike, and it looks as though the manager has some serious issues to address in his side’s attack as they suffered from the absences caused by the African Cup of Nations. Having witnessed such an ineffective performance from his men, he may be regretting his decision to reject Newcastle’s overtures.
The visitors, however, had an excellent opportunity to take the lead when towering defender Hermann Hreidarsson rose above the Sunderland defence to connect with Pedro Mendes’ lofted free-kick, heading it towards the unmarked Benjani Mwaruwari but the Zimbabwean’s scuffed volley flew across Craig Gordon’s goal, much to relief of the home crowd.
The visitors continued to press for an early goal, with David Nugent and Niko Kranjcar both seeing efforts saved by Gordon who looked set to be occupied for the afternoon.
Just as Portsmouth looked to be establishing themselves on the game, though, Sunderland began to gain in confidence, with veteran forward Dwight Yorke playing in a more withdrawn role for the Weersiders and becoming increasingly instrumental in creating several chances for his side, Stokes’ powerful header evading David James goal by inches and Daryl Murphy’s daisy cutter just going wide of the right-hand post.
Roy Keane’s men were looking increasingly likely to break the deadlock and it was no surprise when, with 32 minutes on the clock, Kenwyne Jones shrugged off Sol Campbell’s tackle to collect Evans’ long-pass down the flank, and the Trinidad and Tobago international laid a simple pass to former Manchester United midfielder Keiran Richardson who calmly slotted it past the helpless James, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Portsmouth went in search of a quick-fire equaliser as they looked to continue the away form that has seen them win eight of their 11 games on the road, Hreidarsson once again causing problems in the Sunderland penalty area from set pieces, rising to meet Mendes’ right-footed cross, but Evans was there to clear to safety.
The Black Cats delivered a major blow to Harry Redknapp’s men a minute before the interval, Richardson scoring his second of the afternoon when he latched on to Murphy’s lay-off and angled his shot past James who was helpless to prevent the goal. Keane would have been delighted going into the dressing-room in the rare position of holding a two-goal advantage.
Sunderland began the second-half in much the same way as the first, pressing for a third to kill off the game. Both sides were willing to commit men in attack which created openings for their opponents but it was Sunderland once again who looked more threatening in their opponents half and it seemed that Redknapp’s half-time instructions seemed to go amiss on some of his players.
The 60-year old must have been livid as his players allowed Richardson to break way from his marker and unleash a 25-yard effort which struck Portsmouth’s crossbar, the 23-year old coming within a whisker of completing his hat-trick.
Sunderland did allow Pompey several chances, with Mendes, who is a threat from 30-yards inwards, unleashing on goal but Evans was there once again to block the shot. Redknapp was becoming increasingly animated as he watched his side struggle to break down the stern home defence and his frustration prompted him to replace the ineffective Arnold Mvuemba with Franck Songo’o, but they continued to lack potency in the final-third for a side that has beaten Aston Villa and Newcastle away.
The game’s momentum began to fall away in the final twenty minutes which suited Sunderland, and the eighteenth-placed side were looking comfortable enough for Keane to withdraw Jones, who was a handful for the visitor’s defence throughout the game, replacing him with Roy O’Donovan.
As the away support began to vacate their seats and exit the stadium, it was Sunderland who looked the more motivated to score again as the fans, who were recently voted the loudest in the league, demanded a third. Richardson and Liam Miller combined in the centre to create an opening but the latter’s effort flew well wide of James’ goal. The closest Pompey came to getting a consolation goal was Mendes’ ambitious attempt to beat Gordon from the left-hand side of the box but, as was the story of Portsmouth’s afternoon, it went wide.
Processions were drawn to a close by referee Chris Foy and Keane will be delighted that his side managed to hold on for victory against the odds, and equally pleased that they managed to keep only their third clean-sheet of the season in what were a crucial three points. While the result doesn’t lift the Weersiders out of the relegation zone, it places them alongside Wigan, Birmingham and Bolton on 20 points and with every chance of escaping the drop if they can carry this performance into the remainder of their games this season.
Portsmouth fell well below the standards they have set themselves as they occupy eighth in the table and the result caused them to miss out on the opportunity to close the gap on the European qualification spaces above them.
In truth, Redknapp’s men never truly looked capable of getting back into the game after Richardson’s second strike, and it looks as though the manager has some serious issues to address in his side’s attack as they suffered from the absences caused by the African Cup of Nations. Having witnessed such an ineffective performance from his men, he may be regretting his decision to reject Newcastle’s overtures.
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