In a very even first half two in-form teams have been unable to score against each other in the first 45 minutes.
Newcastle made a confident start to this game and were immediately attacking Portsmouth, who returned to Fratton Park for the first time since reaching the FA Cup Final.
On a sunny afternoon on the south coast it was certainly a carnival atmosphere and a fine day for good football. Newcastle had England Under-21 captain returning after suffering a bout of food poisoning last Saturday.
A Geremi free kick after just 5 minutes was well taken by goalkeeper James, in front of the watching England manager Fabio Capello.
The first 15 minutes was a good start by the Magpies who were passing the ball around well, but without ever being able to make a clear cut chance.
On 23 minutes Harper was quick off his line to cut off a fine through pass by Kranjcar, who was causing Newcastle some trouble on the left wing.
Then on 29 minutes Viduka was through on the right, with Martins in oceans of room in the center. But Mark’s cross come shot was between Martins and James and went through for a goal kick. Viduka should have picked out Martins, and he knew it. It was an excellent chance lost.
The Newcastle full backs were finding it difficult to come forward, because of the strength of Portsmouth wingers and Beye made his only run forward after 39 minutes. Geremi and Beye were fighting hard to contain Kranjcar, who was in good form.
Newcastle are still in this game with a chance of victory, but they will need to raise their game in the second half, and must try to get their full backs forward in support of the attack.
But in the first half there was really nothing between the two sides, who were both playing well.
The game is delicately balanced on a knife edge at the interval.
TEAMS:
Portsmouth: David James, Glen Johnson, Herman Hreidarsson, Sol Campbell (c), Sylvain Distin, Papa Bouba Diop, Sean Davis, Sulley Muntari, Niko Kranjcar, Nwanko Kanu, Jermain Defoe
Subs: Lauren, David Nugent, Richard Hughes, Pedro Mendes, Asmir Begovic
Newcastle United: Steve Harper, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, Abdoulaye Faye, Steven Taylor, Nicky Butt, Geremi, Joey Barton, Oba Martins, Michael Owen (c), Mark Viduka
Subs: Fraser Forster, Damien Duff, Alan Smith, David Edgar, Andy Carroll
Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 20,506
67 comments so far
OzZyMagpiE
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Comment #1i say bring on ALAN SMITH! NOT…..
Steve_48
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Comment #2Come on lads more of the same 2nd half, just need a little more down the flank activity and crosses for the likes of Duke and Mickey O
Andy1
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Comment #3Pass back by Davis?
51times
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Comment #4Portsmouth are looking a bit more dangerous. Switch to 4-5-1 and try to kill the game at 60 minutes or so I say.
Steve_48
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Comment #5Let off from Defoe
Obafan
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Comment #6Now we were lucky. Defenders were running to back deep. Come on guys!!!
Andy1
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Comment #7Lucky there. That was a great chance for Defoe. I can’t believe he’s missed it the form he is on
Dubsea
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Comment #8Gotdamn. That shortarse Defoe has just missed a sitter.
obamagic
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Comment #9Enrique needs to stop hoofing the ball…. He needs to bomb down the flanks!!!!
Andy1
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Comment #10Great play by Martins. But could have set up Owen
Steve_48
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Comment #11Martins needs to read the game a little better, he had options in the box there
Obafan
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Comment #12Our deep passes are mostly too hard. Surprising shot from Oba, perhaps he should have better put it back to Owen.
Dubsea
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Comment #13Defoes run’s off the shoulder are a bit worrying.
Hadrian
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Comment #14thank god that shot got blocked, harper’s not got it easy with that sun .
ronaldeano
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Comment #15Eye mate, he had options, we need points, especialy since the filth got beat
obamagic
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Comment #16we need to score cuz portsmouth is starting to look really dangerous..
Hadrian
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Comment #17these near post corners for owen are a waste of time, its like 1 in 25 go’s in .
51times
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Comment #18We have the scum next week so we’ll make sure we finish above them then 🙂
Steve_48
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Comment #19Good pressure from Taylor @ the back post
Steve_48
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Comment #20Will be watchin’ the game against the scum on telly next week
Dubsea
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Comment #21Liking Harper in goal. Decent save.
Obafan
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Comment #22OUR FINAL BALL IS TOO BAD TODAY! One good one and we will score!
obamagic
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Comment #23I think we nid to bring some fresh legs on… Bring on Duff and Carroll
51times
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Comment #24Geremi – hit it straight away you fool. If Owen had got it he would have scored.
Obafan
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Comment #25Geremi’s free kciks have been very dangerous; just no luck for someon to just run agains the ball. His corners should be delivered to the back post not the near post.
51times
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Comment #26Oh my God how did he miss that?
obamagic
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Comment #27WTH WAS THT Shoot!!!! C’mon Geremi!!
Dubsea
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Comment #28owen shoulda nutted that
Andy1
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Comment #29Sitter for Owen. What a save though.
Andy1
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Comment #30Great shot by Geremi
Steve_48
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Comment #31Great shot from Gez, better same from Calamity
Obafan
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Comment #32Damned Butt stop those long passes; you overkick them all the time.
What an effort from Geremi.
Obafan
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Comment #33Come on guys; we can win this one!!!
Obafan
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Comment #34Oh no I saw Smith on my screen; he is warming up 🙁
obamagic
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Comment #35I will piss my pants if Simthy score!!! lol
ObaFan2
Apr 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Comment #36FGS Smith….. get a yellow card plz……..
Andy1
Apr 12, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Comment #37Smith on for Viduka
Dubsea
Apr 12, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Comment #38calamity james was almost back there.
Andy1
Apr 12, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Comment #39Oba just tackled Smith… fair enough.
Obafan
Apr 12, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Comment #40SMith makes always fauls on high balls.