New year, same old struggle for Norwich, but they battled for all but the
first five minutes with just 10 men in search of their first Premiership away
win of the season.
And only a bizarre penalty incident when Aiyegbeni Yakubu netted his ninth
goal of the season from a three-times taken spot-kick on the hour saved
Portsmouth's proud home record from another damaging dent after Damien Francis
had given the East Anglians the lead just four minutes after Marc Edworthy's
early dismissal.
The Canaries commitment to the survival cause must have warmed the cockles of
their supporters' hearts as they stood in a rain-blown gale at the open end of
Fratton Park.
And although Pompey had tons of territorial advantage, the visitors came close
to pulling off a shock success.
Goalkeeper Robert Green unveiled his England goalkeeping credentials with some
splendid saves, notably from substitute Valery Mezague, skipper Arjan de Zeeuw
and midfielder Gary O'Neil in the closing minutes.
But Norwich proved a 4-5-1 - and later 4-4-1 system - can be an attacking
format.
Mattias Jonson's dangerous cross was headed out by Andy Griffin in the opening
minute and then Shaka Hislop got down to block a blast from outside the box by
David Bentley even before Edworthy was sent packing in only the fifth minute.
In a lightning Pompey break, Yakubu pounced on Simon Charlton's error and put
co-striker Diomansy Kamara away down the centre where last defender Edworthy
brought him down and gave referee Phil Down no option but to produce Norwich's
first red card this season.
Yet it was Canaries who grabbed the lead brilliantly in the ninth minute
through Francis, another of their comeback stars. Darren Huckerby raced down the
left to send in a cross which de Zeeuw only half-cleared.
And Francis was onto the loose ball quickly, letting it bounce once before
volleying into the top corner.
It was a great way to return the former Wimbledon player after six weeks out
with a fractured cheekbone but Norwich needed their other comeback men just as
much.
Portsmouth almost equalised two minutes later when Yakubu's far-post header
went just wide.
Charlton, who had given the ball away in the lead up to Edworthy's early exit,
saved Norwich when he took a Berger shot off the line after good work by Matt
Taylor who soon provided another fine cross which had Norwich at full stretch.
But the depleted visitors made just as many chances with Hislop having to
react well to deny Huckerby who had the ball in the Pompey net again on 28
minutes only for McKenzie to be pulled up for a foul on Linvoy Primus.
Kamara hit a low drive from 18 yards which Green clearly turned behind but
referee Dowd stunned Pompey by awarding a goal-kick and Steve Stone ruined a
promising position for Portsmouth, lifting his cross over the bar after a smart
link-up between O'Neil and Kamara.
Pompey huffed and puffed after the break but it was not until Craig Fleming
was controversially ruled to have handled a de Zeeuw header that they
equalised.
Even then, Yakubu needed three attempts to slot it home into the same corner
after players encroached.
Green's authoritative saves in the remaining half-hour gave Norwich all the
stomach they needed for a brave fight and a point.
Teams
Portsmouth: Hislop, Griffin, De Zeeuw, Primus,
Taylor (Mezague 81), Stone, Quashie, O'Neil, Berger (Faye 66),
Yakubu, Kamara (Fuller 66).
Subs Not Used: Stefanovic, Ashdown.
Booked: Griffin, Yakubu, Taylor.
Goals: Yakubu 61 pen.
Norwich: Green, Edworthy, Fleming, Doherty, Charlton, Jonson,
Mulryne (Brennan 61), Francis, Bentley, McKenzie (Jarvis 67),
Huckerby (Drury 84).
Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Crow.
Sent Off: Edworthy (5).
Goals: Francis 9.
Att: 20,015
Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).
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