Danny Webber was the hero as Watford turned their dismal away record on its head to claim maximum points at Fratton Park.

The on-loan Manchester United striker struck five minutes after the break to settle a tie for which the phrase 'a game of two halves' could have been coined.

Portsmouth were ultimately made to pay for their first-half profligacy, while Watford gained their reward for dominating the second period, and were unfortunate not to add to their tally.

Whatever plans Hornets boss Gianluca Vialli had prior to the game, he was forced into a re-think after less than five minutes when the injured Stephen Glass had to be replaced by James Panayi.

The 22-year-old's appearance meant Watford now boasted six players aged 23 and under on the pitch, the others being Paul Robinson, Lloyd Doyley, Jamie Hand, Webber and Anthony McNamee.

For McNamee - at just 17, the youngest player on the pitch - it was his first start in a Watford shirt, although he had little opportunity to display his silky skills during an opening period totally dominated by Portsmouth.

Alec Chamberlain fumbled Kevin Harper's long-range effort as Portsmouth made the early running, although Courtney Pitt came closest to breaking the deadlock when he rose highest to head Gary O'Neil's centre over the crossbar.

Robinson's strike from the edge of the area represented Watford's first attempt on goal, although 22 minutes had elapsed by that point.

Portsmouth, clearly eager to avenge their 3-0 drubbing at Vicarage Road last November, were playing much of their football in the visitors' half, but it was little surprise that they failed to make an impression on the scoresheet.

With leading scorer Peter Crouch now plying his trade at Aston Villa and Robert Prosinecki not included in the squad, Pitt and Linvoy Primus' two goals apiece left them as Pompey's most prolific hitmen.

Rowan Vine and O'Neil kept Chamberlain on his toes with efforts from distance, although it needed the crossbar to keep out Neil Cox's header on the stroke of half-time.

Watford, their ears no doubt ringing from Vialli's interval pep-talk, emerged from the tunnel a different proposition altogether, and had taken the lead within five minutes when Webber beat the hitherto untroubled Dave Beasant with a low drive into the far corner.

Portsmouth responded with four corners in quick succession, culminating in Rowan Vine's wayward right-footed drive.

Beasant was fortunate that his fumble from McManee did not lead to anything more than a red face, and he needed two attempts to gather substitute Heidar Helguson's shot as Watford went in search of a second.

Webber brought a smart stop out of the former Wimbledon and Chelsea keeper with 20 minutes left on the clock, while O'Neil curled a free-kick wide of Chamberlain's upright at the opposite end.

Pompey refused to buckle, but speculative strikes from Garry Brady and Lewis Buxton were the closest they came to levelling matters.

An already disappointing afternoon for Portsmouth was soured even further when Kevin Harper was dismissed four minutes from time for foul and abusive language.

Teams:

Portsmouth Beasant, Vincent, Primus, Wilson, Buxton, Pitt (Cooper 65), Derry (Brady 76), Summerbell, O'Neil, Harper, Vine.

Subs Not Used: Tardif, Miglioranzi, Barrett.

Sent Off: Harper (87).

Booked: Summerbell, Wilson.

Watford Chamberlain, Robinson, Cox, Doyley, Hyde, Hand, McNamee (Helguson 69), Glass (Panayi 5), Okon, Webber (Smith 72), Gayle.

Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Noble.

Booked: Panayi, Hand.

Goals: Webber 50.

Att: 16,302

Ref: P Walton (Northants).