The sun may have been beating down at Elland Road but the shadow of First
Division football is lengthening over Leeds.
While they are only three points adrift of Manchester City they are fast
running out of time.
Three games remain and two are away, perhaps crucially against Chelsea at
Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season.
Leeds have managed only one point from a possible nine after successive
victories over Leicester and Blackburn gave them a glimmer of hope.
Should caretaker manager Eddie Gray keep the debt-riddled club up, it will be
an achievement to savour.
Portsmouth are surely secure as they are now on 40 points following only their
second away win in the league.
Gray gave a first start this season to striker Simon Johnson with Mark Viduka
suspended.
Veteran Lucas Radebe again appeared in midfield with Nicky Barmby having to
settle for a place on the bench.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp decided to stick with Nigel Quashie in
midfield even though Eyal Berkovic was available again.
Leeds should have taken the lead after six minutes when Johnson scampered away
through the middle - and that proved crucial.
He released James Milner on the left but his effort only found the body of
goalkeeper Shaka Hislop from close range.
It was a good chance and would have settled Leeds' nerves.
However it was Portsmouth who took the lead after nine minutes after a cross
from Steve Stone eluded Michael Duberry.
Aiyegbeni Yakubu took advantage and headed home unmarked to stun the home
supporters.
Leeds were all at sea and Dejan Stefanovic cleared the bar from six yards when
he should have hit the target at least.
Leeds found themselves on the back foot in the 26th minute after Alexei
Smertin cleverly worked the ball out of defence and raced up the park.
He tried to pick out Lomana LuaLua but goalkeeper Paul Robinson was alert to
the danger and intercepted the pass.
Leeds were finding it difficult to get into the game although Duberry made
space in the area when Ian Harte delivered the corner.
However the central defender sent a shot from close range high into the crowd
to Portsmouth's relief.
Leeds continue to push forward until the break but the visitors defence looked
well organised.
Stone then latched on to a crossfield ball from Yakubu but his weak shot
failed to trouble Robinson.
Gray made one change at half time, bringing on Stephen McPhail for Matteo.
The home supporters in the 39,273 crowd tried hard to get the team going - and
back on the goal trail.
Certainly it was a crucial last 45 minutes for Leeds with time fast running in
an attempt to stay in the top flight.
However Duberry almost steered the ball into his own net before Portsmouth
extended their lead in the 50th minute.
LuaLua scored from close range after Yakubu's effort had been blocked by
Duberry to give Portsmouth a two-goal cushion.
Leeds striker Johnson had found it hard going and was replaced by the more
experienced Nick Barmby.
That victory against Manchester United in their previous game had obviously
given Portsmouth great heart.
Certainly they were playing with great panache in the middle of the park with
Quashie and Matthew Taylor pulling the strings.
Smith was working tirelessly up front for Leeds but had little support from
his team-mates.
Former England midfielder Barmby could have pulled one back for Leeds in the
73rd minute.
However he only succeeded in sending a shot over the top from a good position
following a corner from Milner.
Harte threw Leeds a lifeline in the 83rd minute when he sent Hislop the wrong
way from the spot.
The penalty had been awarded after Linvoy Primus was adjudged to have impeded
Duberry.
Hislop then made a superb block from Barmby as Leeds kept up the pressure but
they could not get that elusive equaliser.
Teams
Leeds Robinson, Kelly, Caldwell, Duberry, Harte, Pennant,
Radebe (Lennon 71), Matteo (McPhail 45), Milner, Smith,
Simon Johnson (Barmby 59).
Subs Not Used: Carson, Kilgallon.
Booked: Caldwell, Kelly.
Goals: Harte 83 pen.
Portsmouth Hislop, Primus, Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Taylor,
Stone (Harper 80), Faye, Smertin, Quashie, Yakubu,
LuaLua (Sheringham 74).
Subs Not Used: Wapenaar, Curtis, Berkovic.
Booked: Smertin, De Zeeuw.
Goals: Yakubu 9, LuaLua 51.
Att: 39,273
Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).
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