: Original text from Official Site : Translated by webmaster

	2001.11.10
	BURNLEY 1 PORTSMOUTH 1. FULL TIME REPORT.
	FIRST HALF Portsmouth line up for this tough fixture with a number of changes to their starting eleven. The most surprising must be the introduction of David Waterman, drafted in to play alongside Barrett in the midfield. Elsewhere, Zamperini ends his temporary first-team absence at the expense of Justin Edinburgh and Mills replaces the suspended Lee Bradbury in attack. Kawaguchi, who was classed as 'doubtful' at the beginning of the week, retains his place in goal, with Dave Beasant remaining on the bench. Graham Rix, it appears, has continued his policy of allowing open access to the first eleven, ensuring that nothing can be taken for granted and players fight for their place. Portsmouth kick off and within the first minute there is already something to cheer about - Yoshi's first touch isn't to pick the ball up from the back of the net. Waterman is booked within 2? minutes for a horrendous knee high challenge, while another early presence felt is that of the Burnley crowd who routinely boo Peter Crouch whenever he touches the ball. The game fails to settle in the first ten minutes, with both teams having their fair share of possession. Kawaguchi is called upon to make some early saves as Burnley start to produce some flowing football and dominate proceedings. On fifteen minutes a dangerous Burnley free kick flashes across the face of Yoshi's goal, and the home team win three corners in quick succession as the game is effectively played in Pompey's half. Pompey appear static in their approach and without the fluency and zip that has accompanied some of their more memorable performances. Peter Crouch receives little sympathy from the referee as our lanky striker is nudged and jostled in and around the box, but on a positive note Yoshi looks solid in goal. On twenty-five minutes, a flick by Moore from Cook's long-range effort flashes wide of the Portsmouth goal. After about half an hour of Burnley domination, a Prosinecki-led Pompey side start to make advances. Beautiful skill from Pitt on the left is complimented by a good attacking header from Crouch on thirty-six minutes. The Burnley keeper goes down late to save and sections of the crowd believe the ball has already crossed the line, but the referee and linesman are having none of it. Burnley, who are increasingly being restricted to long-range efforts, have another shot that screams across the face of goal on forty minutes. Portsmouth have come back into the game during the later stages of the first half; it is a match that appears 'there for the taking' if the Blues can get some fluency to their play. HALF-TIME Burnley 0 Portsmouth 0 SECOND HALF Burnley start brightly in the second half, though continue to be restricted to long range efforts. Shots from the home side go high and wide and it seems that Burnley have little to offer up-front. Admittedly, the Pompey defence is putting on a solid display to frustrate the home crowd and Yoshi is covering his goal well. It's a strong performance, but you just feel that if the midfield was to pushed up then three points could be obtainable. Portsmouth's best chance, so far, comes on the hour as Harper's 18-yard shot skims along the surface and requires a good save form the Burnley keeper. However, on 63 minutes, the Portsmouth wing-back gives the ball away disastrously in his own six yard box, relying on a Kawaguchi scoop to avert the danger. Moments later, Kawaguchi is called upon to palm over a powerful header by Moore, and Burnley continue to pressure by then lashing a shot wide from seven-yards out. Pompey, as in the early stages of the first half, are under pressure but surviving. On sixty-nine minutes, Cook produces a magnificent cross for Taylor to head home for Burnley. Just as the game looked to be settling for a 0-0 draw, Burnley take the advantage. There was nothing Yoshi could do, it was a great piece of play from Burnley with a confident finish. Only three minutes later, Crouch snatches an equaliser for Pompey. From a 'nothing' attack, the ball ricochets in the box to fall to the feet of our leading goal-scorer. With great composure, Crouch side foots the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-1. As both teams search for a winner, the game opens out. End to end attacks rouse the crowd, as it seems possible that either team can take three points. With just over five minutes left, Rix gambles by putting three up front. A double substitution sees Crowe replace Primus and Lovell replace Prosinecki. The Croatian isn't happy, walking straight down the tunnel without going to the bench. It seems Rix has converted to a 4-3-3 formation in search for a late winner. The referee blows for full time during a frantic last few moments of play, with both teams quite justly taking a point from this tough fixture. On reflection, a draw seems a fair result. Not only that, it's also a good result for Pompey. High-flying Burnley are a decent team and put Rix's men under a great deal of pressure, but Pompey coped admirably. At times it looked as though three points were possible, but as the game opened out near the death it could just as easily have been lost. Nevertheless, this solid performance sets us up nicely for next Saturday's difficult clash against Manchester City. Portsmouth (3-4-1-2): Kawaguchi; Primus (Crowe, 83); Hiley; Zamperini; Pitt; Harper; Barrett; Waterman; Prosinecki (Lovell, 83); Mills; Crouch. Subs unused: Beasant; Vincent; Curtis. Report by Matt Woolway. (Portsmouth FC Official Site)