: Original text from Official Site : Translated by webmaster

	2001.11.17
	PORTSMOUTH 2 MANCHESTER CITY 1 - FULL TIME REPORT
	FIRST HALF A capacity crowd, Yoshi's home debut and two sides who like to play attacking football. Add other vital ingredients like Kevin Keegan's appearance and the fact that it's televised and you should expect a cracking tie. There are a number of changes to Pompey's starting eleven, with Bradbury returning after suspension and Gary O'Neil back in midfield after international duty. Pitt makes the line-up on one flank, with Harper on the other, indicating that Rix's men are going to take the game to City. The back three, affected by injuries to Primus (back) and Edinburgh (achilles), is made up by Zamperini, Crowe and Hiley. For City, Berkovic, Wanchope and Tiatto are all unavailable through injury and international duty. A tickertape reception welcomes the sides onto the pitch as a noisy crowd awaits the action. Pompey start brightly, with Harper making good progress on the right hand side. Clearly having the better of the opening five minutes, a Prosinecki free kick near the corner flag is floated beautifully in front of Nicky Weaver, only to be missed by a barrage of blue shirts. Apart from the occasional City surge, Pompey dominate with slick passing and pace on the wings. With twenty minutes gone, challenges start to fly in from all directions, with City's Stuart Pearce frequently in amongst the action. But Pompey keep hold of the game by the scruff of the neck, winning challenges and dominating proceedings. Yoshi has hardly had a touch to make during the first quarter of the game and goal-machine Goater has seen little of the ball. After an excellent through ball to Darren Huckerby, the ex-Leeds striker flashes a shot wide of the post. Yoshi was unsure whether to come or go, but escaped embarrassment as the best chance of the game is wasted. On thirty-two minutes, Huckerby makes amends for his miss by glancing a header into the corner of Pompey's goal with expert precision. Hiley argues with Zamperini as Yoshi retrieves the ball, but nothing can change the score line. 1-0 to Manchester City. A good corner from Stuart Pearce on thirty-eight minutes causes chaos in the Pompey box. Howey, however, fluffed his shot as the open goal went begging. Just before half time, Shaun Goater is forced to retire early due to a groin strain. Leon Mike comes on in his place and has an opportunity to score with his first touch of the game. In acres of space, the well-built striker cracks the ball straight at Kawaguchi when he should really have done better. Three minutes of injury time are played out with the ball swinging from end to end. Pompey have performed very well in the first half and can consider themselves unlucky to be 1-0 down at the break. Pompey have had the better of the play, but City have had the better of the chances. SECOND HALF With under ten minutes of the second gone, Lee Bradbury puts Pompey back into the game. A wonderful cross by O'Neil is converted by Bradbury on the edge of the six-yard box. A well-placed header flies past Weaver and into the corner of the net, leaving the City keeper with no chance. A goal against his former club is savoured by Bradbury, who celebrates in front of the South Stand with a shake of the fist. Fratton Park explodes and the feeling is that a goal so early in the second half sets up the real possibility of a Pompey win. Tempers fly after the score is leveled and it all reaches a climax just before the hour, as a truly horrendous challenge by Huckerby downs Prosinecki on the sideline. Huckerby is lucky to get away with a booking, and a fellow City player is booked for dissent. City are clearly rattled, with Pearce losing his temper and Pompey taking control of the game. On 63 minutes, two chances in quick succession fall Pompey's way. Peter Crouch's 6'7'' frame proves a valuable asset against the City defence, as a header loops just over from a Barrett cross and another falls to Weaver. Pompey are holding the midfield in style, distributing the ball well to the front men and commanding the game. O'Neil is clearly the major instigator, fresh back from international duty and central to every Pompey move. On 67 minutes, Pompey produce a truly magical moment to go 2-1 ahead. It is true class from the Blues: O'Neil battling with aggression and strength at the back, a clever lay-off from Bradbury, an inch perfect ball by Prosinecki and a brave header from Crouch. One of the best moves at Fratton this season and the stadium literally erupts as the goal goes in. Flowing football with stunning results. Only five minutes later, Crouch slams a header against Weaver's bar after a pinpoint free kick from Prosinecki on the left hand side. The City keeper had no chance as the sleeping City defence left Crouch in space. City, apart from the occasional counter attack, produce little and are restricted to defending for long periods. It's one of those performances where Prosinecki is challenging back, working for the team and urging everyone on. As fulltime is blown, a deafening cheer is heard and players celebrate like it was a FA Cup final. Although that might not be the case, some things are certain - it was a stunning performance played with a battling sprit and stylishly executed. If such a performance can be repeated, dreams of premiership status can truly be attained. Portsmouth: Kawaguchi; Crowe; Harper; Prosinecki; Crouch; Bradbury; Zamperini; Pitt; Hiley; O'Neil; Barrett Unused subs: Tardif; Vincent; Waterman; Mills; Lovell Man City: Weaver; Dunne; Mettomo; Pearce; Wright-Phillips; Benarbia; Negouai; Horlock; Howey; Goater (Mike, 38); Huckerby Unused subs: Nash; Wiekens, Granville, Shuker Attendance: 19,102 (Portsmouth FC Official Site)