McFadden spot on to earn Blues win

19 August 2009 22:13
Referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot after England goalkeeper David James clattered into Blues midfielder Sebastian Larsson in the 92nd minute.[LNB]Up stepped McFadden to drill the ball past the 39-year-old, who had earlier denied the home side with fine saves from Larsson and veteran striker Kevin Phillips.[LNB]James' efforts looked to have earned his side a valuable point on the day Pompey confirmed a new consortium led by chief executive officer Peter Storrie was in negotiations to buy the club.[LNB]Blues boss Alex McLeish is desperate for his side to make St Andrews into a fortress after eight draws in his 13 home games in charge two seasons ago were a major factor in them being relegated.[LNB]But for all their endeavour and purpose, with Barry Ferguson impressive in midfield, they were unable to unlock the visitors rearguard, in which Sylvain Distin was a key performer, until the late finale.[LNB]McLeish made one change from the side beaten by a single goal at Manchester United with striker Garry O'Connor brought into the starting line-up at the expense of midfielder Lee Carsley.[LNB]Portsmouth boss Paul Hart handed a debut to on-loan Genoa midfielder Anthony Vanden Borre after international clearance was finally obtained yesterday. He came into the side at the expense of John Utaka.[LNB]Before the kick-off a minute's applause was undertaken in honour of former Blues chairman Jack Wiseman who died last week at the age of 92.[LNB]Blues striker Cameron Jerome had the first shot on target after some sloppy defensive work by the visitors but James held onto his low drive away to his left.[LNB]Jerome then teed up Fahey on the edge of the box but his low shot, although taking a slight deflection, did not overly trouble James.[LNB]But Larsson came close to putting City in front after 18 minutes.[LNB]The Sweden international got on the end of a deep first-time centre from left-back Gregory Vignal but he could not keep down his header.[LNB]It was 35 minutes before Portsmouth managed a worthwhile effort on target and then on-loan Joe Hart was well positioned to hold onto a long-range attempt from Niko Kranjcar.[LNB]Portsmouth were forced into a substitution after 42 minutes when Papa Bouba Diop limped out of the action to be replaced by Angelos Basinas.[LNB]Hart parried a low effort around the post from Frederic Piquionne although the shot was probably heading just wide before his intervention.[LNB]Portsmouth boss Hart made a half-time substitution with Utaka replacing Vanden Borre.[LNB]McFadden made a good break down the left before releasing Jerome but he lacked the necessary composure and curled his shot well wide.[LNB]Vignal looked to have picked up a knock and he made way for Blues defender Stuart Parnaby after 49 minutes.[LNB]Then Jerome was bundled off the ball by Bassinas, who was yellow carded, and after pitch-side treatment he was replaced by Phillips.[LNB]City tried to build up some momentum and James turned over a curling free-kick from Larsson after Phillips had been brought down by Mullins.[LNB]At the other end, City stopper Hart had little trouble in holding onto an effort from a similar range by Kranjcar.[LNB]James made a fine save to turn a curling shot from Phillips past the post after O'Connor had headed the ball into his path.[LNB]But St Andrews erupted after McFadden's late decider.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk