Source: SKY_Sports
Portsmouth v Man City live!
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} FULL-TIME. City win 1-0, but it was closer in the second-half. Thanks for your e-mails today, stay with us for reaction.[LNB]90 (+3) Tevez goes down under a challenge from Vanden Borre in the box but the ref waves play on.[LNB]90 (+2) Pompey win a free-kick near the half-way line. They play the ball to Belhadj who crosses to Utaka whose glancing header hits Zabaleta and back to Bellamy.[LNB]90 Three minutes of time are added on.[LNB]90 City take the throw in and Wright-Phillips goes down under a challenge from Belhadj in the box but the ref waves play on as City shout for a penalty.[LNB]89 Wright-Phillips tries a shot from the right of the box but his effort is blocked for a throw in 15 yards out on the right. City take and win another throw in.[LNB]88 Brown crosses to Nugent in the box and he has a free shot but hits his effort straight at Given who vlocks his effort and City clear. Best Pompey chance by a mile.[LNB]87 Nugent is on for Hughes as Hart tries to get a point.[LNB]87 Wright-Phillips makes a mazy run into the right side of the box but then shoots wide from 15 yards.[LNB]86 De Jong releases Bellamy down the left but his cross into the box lacks power and Pompey clear.[LNB]85 Lull - no more chances as neither team can keep possession.[LNB]83 Tevex crosses from the right to Adebayor at the far post but he can not get anything on it and Pompey clear. Pompey are more in this game and City need a second to be save.[LNB]82 Pompey take the free-kick and the ball eventually falls to Hughes just outside the box on the right but he blasts well over.[LNB]81 Zabaleta is booked for a challenge on Kanu near the half way line.[LNB]81 Barry takes the corner and the ball bobbles up in the centre of the box before Adebayor heads at goal but his effort from 12 yards lacks power and Begovic gathers.[LNB]80 Bellamy hits the free-kick but the wall deflects his effort before City win a corner on the right.[LNB]79 Adebayor goes down under a block from Mokeona on the edge of the box for a City free-kick.[LNB]78 Utaka tries a shot from the right edge of the box but his effort flashes wide of Given's right post. Good try![LNB]78 Kanu crosses from the left but it is too close to Given who gathers.[LNB]77 Ireland is replaced by De Jong as Hughes tries to stop Pompey's increasing dominance.[LNB]76 Adebayor feeds the ball to Barry in the box but he can not control it and Pompey clear.[LNB]75 Kranjcar takes the corner and Kaboul eventually tries a shot from distance but it is well over. City have lost there way at present and Pompey are back in this.[LNB]74 Kanu is on for Piquionne.[LNB]73 Mullins tries a long range effort which takes a deflection off Bridge for a corner on the right.[LNB]72 Picuionne tries a header from the left of the box but he is given off-side.[LNB]72 Pompey are enjoying a good spell in City's half but no chances yet.[LNB]71 Picquionne tries to get on to a long ball on the right but it goes out for a goal kick.[LNB]70 Pompey make a rare foray into City's half but Piquionne's pass is mis-placed and City win a throw in.[LNB]69 City are pressing again but Pompey are holding firm so far.[LNB]68 Utaka comes on for Smith for Pompey as Hart tries to get back in the game.[LNB]67 City break up field and win a corner on the right. Barry takes but Mokoena heads clear at the far post as Adebayor lines up for a header and then Toure shoots wide.[LNB]66 Smith runs into the right side of the box and crosses to Mullins in the centre. He looks certain to score but Zabaleta puts in a goal saving header. Unlucky![LNB]65 Pompey are trying to get back in the game. Piquionne goes down under a challenge from Zabaleta on the left side of the box but the ref waves play on.[LNB]64 Bellamy tries to play a one-two with Adebayor but Begovic gathers the return ball in the box. Good play.[LNB]63 Brown wins a free-kick just inside City's half. Kranjcar eventually crosses from the left into the box but Kaboul heads over in the box.[LNB]62 Adebayor is now down injured following a foul by Belhadj but he is up on his feet.[LNB]61 Pompey press on the right flank. They win a throw in 15 yards out but Piquionne is eventually dis-possessed in the centre.[LNB]60 Zabaleta is on for the injured Richards.[LNB]60 Bellamy creates a yard of space for himself on the left edge of the box and unleashes a shot but it is straight at Begovic who gathers.[LNB]59 Pompey are pressing but Tevez dis-possesses Hughes and City clear.[LNB]58 Richards has hobbled off the pitch and may be substituted.[LNB]57 Richards is down injured and is getting treatment on the pitch.[LNB]56 Toure makes a run from deep towards the Pompey box and shoots from 35 yards but his effort lacks power and rolls to Begovic to gather.[LNB]54 City win a corner on the right. Barry takes to Ireland just outside the box but he blasts well over.[LNB]53 City come again and Adebayor runs into the left edge of the box before shotting from a tight angle but Begovic makes a diving save. The ball eventually falls to Toure far out but his long range effort is wide of Begovic's left post.[LNB]53 Barry takes the corner but Begovic punches out under heavy pressure from Richards.[LNB]52 Bellamy whips the free-kick in but Kaboul heads over for a corner on the right.[LNB]50 Adebayor is felled by Hughes on the left edge of the box for a free-kick in a dangerous area.[LNB] TODD'S VIEW - Todd from Australia says: "I think the end score will be 2-2 tevez will score and then city will fade and conceed 2 right in the last minutes." You never know Todd![LNB]49 Barry is up on his feet. City take the free-kick short and eventually a cross comes into Adebayor in the box. He leaves it thinking someone is coming in behind but there isn't and Pompey clear.[LNB]48 Barry is caught by Hughes in the centre of the park and is requiring treatment.[LNB]47 Brown wins the ball from Toure in the middle and runs on goal but the ref blows for his hand-ball. Unlucky as it seemed he just wanted to protect himself after Toure blasted the ball.[LNB]46 Pompey press straight away but Brown's long-range effort is deflected away by Ireland.[LNB]46 City re-start the game. No changes for either side at half-time.[LNB] Carl has been in touch to say: "Hi Steve, no disrespect and I know City can sometimes be a little inconsistent, but lets not start comparing them to Bradford just yet!!!" All I'll say to that Carl is you should have seen Jacobs and Beags go - they were fantastic!! I think it bodes well for City that such understandings are starting to be formed - people say City are just a team of mercenaries but on this showing a real team ethic is being instilled.[LNB] Fancy a bet? Sky Bet now go 14-1 for a Pompey win, 5-1 the draw and 2-13 on for a City win. My 3-1 prediction with Adebayor is still on but you can not see Pompey scoring at present, but you never know!! What are your predictions - can Pompey get back into this game or will City push on?[LNB] HALF-TIME. City go in one in front. Pompey are working hard but City are worth their lead.[LNB]45 (+1) Bellamy takes the corner on the left but Pompey clear this time. There is one minute of added time.[LNB]45 Barry takes the corner and it is Piquionne who puts it out for a corner on the left this time.[LNB]45 Barry takes the corner but Mullins heads out for another corner on the right.[LNB]44 Adebayor breaks down the right flank and feeds the ball to Barry on the edge of the area and his shot takes a deflection for a City corner on the right.[LNB]42 Bridge and Bellamy are combining well down the left flank - I'm a Bradford fan and it reminds me of when Wayne Jacobs and Peter Beagrie were flying down that flank for the Bantams to get us into the Premier League!![LNB]41 Brown catches Tevez near the half-way line and gets a talking to from the ref but no yellow card.[LNB]40 Tevez takes the corner and the ball is eventually played to Bellamy on the left side of the box. He crosses to Richards on the far post to slot home but the defender is rightly given off side.[LNB]39 City break forward and win a corner on the left.[LNB]38 City are keeping good possession before Wright-Phillips is dis-possessed as he tries to win into the box. Pompey break forward quickly and Smith tries to feed the ball to Piquionne on the right but it goes out for a throw in.[LNB]37 Ireland hits a long ball forward but it goes out for a goal kick.[LNB]36 Pompey are keeping good possession and Belhadj puts another cross in from the left but his cross is overhit and goes out for a goal kick.[LNB]35 Pompey win a free-kick 35 yards out after Ireland fells Smith. Thye take quickly but City hold firm before Belhadj crosses from the left into the box and City clear.[LNB]34 Lull - no more chances as the teams cancel each other out in the centre of the park.[LNB]33 Pompey win a free-kick 40 yards out on the left. They feed the ball through to Kaboul on the left byline but he is adjudged to have fouled Wright-Phillips.[LNB]32 Piquionne crosses from the right of the box towards Kranjcar in the middle but City scramble the ball away.[LNB]30 GOAL - ADEBAYOR!! Barry takes the corner and Adebayor is unmarked in the centre and nods home powerfully from 10 yards to put City ahead. Simple and effective!![LNB]30 Bellamy and Bridge are working well down the left but can not find a way through to switch the ball to Richards on the right who wins a corner.[LNB]28 Pompey win a free-kick just insode City half. They take but Piquionne is adjudged to be off-side to the left of the City box.[LNB]27 Barry takes the free-kick but Pompey clear from the box before Ireland hits a cross in from the right but it is too long for Adebayor and rolls out for a goal kick.[LNB]27 City win a free-kick just inside the Pompey half after Brown catches Ireland.[LNB]26 Pompey press down the right with Smith winning a throw in 15 yards out before Piquionne puts a cross into the box but there is no one there to get on the end of it and City clear.[LNB]25 City come again and Bellamy and then Bridge cross from the left into the box but Pompey hold firm and clear the danger.[LNB]24 Barry takes the corner but Pompey clear at the near post.[LNB]23 Smithy wins a throw in 10 yards out on the left. Pompey take and Belhadj puts a cross in but Lescott clears in the middle. City break down field and win a corner on the right.[LNB]22 Pompey are pressing down the left flank but City are holding firm at present.[LNB]21 Bellamy makes a strong run into the left side of the box but Begovic is out quickly to take the ball from his feet. Good goalkeeping.[LNB]20 Pompey win a free-kick 30 yards out on the left. Kranjcar takes but his effort strikes the wall and City eventually clear.[LNB]19 City keep good possession and Tevez creates a yard of space ofr himself and shoots from outside the left side of the box but his effort lacks power and Begovic gathers.[LNB]18 No more chances yet.[LNB]16 Pompey break up field and win two corners on the left before Bridges finally manages to clear up field.[LNB]14 City win a free-kick on the right of the box. Barry takes, Begovic comes for the catch but can not hold the ball. Wright-Phillips tries to latch onto the ball but Pompey clear.[LNB] MORE VIEWS - Paddy says: "I disagree completely with Carl from Chester. This is where City's prima donna will be found out. 3-1 to Portsmouth." 'Fate85' says: "Super line-up for Man City. When you can afford to have players of the quality of Robinho and Nigel de Jong on the bench, you know you are heading in the right direction. Still, I believe home team Pompey should never be underestimated. A lot of people are expecting a pummeling here, but I refuse to think that is going to be the case. Tommy Smith should add something fresh to Pompey's attack. Michael Brown and Hayden Mullins are a good chance to win that midfield battle. If Niko Kranjcar, Richard Hughes and Tommy Smith could adequately support Frederic Piquionne, I feel the Frenchman is good for his first Premiership goal for the club! 1-1 is my call."[LNB]13 Tevez hits the free-kick. It goes up and over the wall but curles wide of Begovic's right post.[LNB]12 Ireland steals the ball from Brown but is then felled by Hughes as he runs towards goal. Hughes is booked and City have a free-kick 30 yards out in front of goal.[LNB]11 Piquionne gets on to a long ball down the right and shoots from the edge of the box but it is a tightish angle and his effort goes into the side-netting. First chance.[LNB]10 Vanden Borre harries for the ball in the right corner but the ball goes out for a goal kick. The Pompey fans appreciate his efforts.[LNB]9 Barry takes the corner and several City players go for the header in the centre but Smith clears.[LNB]8 City come again and win a corner on the right.[LNB]8 Bellamy crosses from the left but no one is in the box and Pompey clear.[LNB]7 Piquionne almost gets onto a long ball but Given clears on the edge of his box.[LNB] GARY'S VIEW - Garys says: "It would be nice to see a Portsmouth win today; with some decent debuts by the new signings. That would hopefully then kick-start our season in the same way as the Mendes strikes in that fateful game a couple of seasons ago!" Thanks Gary, any more?[LNB]5 Adebayor feeds the ball to Wright-Phillips down the right flank. He crosses from the by-line but Begovic is out to gather.[LNB]4 The game is being played at a frantic pace but still no chances yet with neither side able to keep possession.[LNB] Didier asks: "How come James isn't starting??" He has a back injury.[LNB]3 Ireland tries to feed the ball into Tevez in the box but Hughes intercepts and clears.[LNB]2 Pompey are enjoying the early possession but no chances yet.[LNB]1 Portsmouth get the game underway.[LNB] FIRST VIEWS - Carl in Chester says: "How come Robi's on the bench?. should be up front with Ade and Carlos just behind. Can still see a 3-0 victory though." Hughes wanted Bellamy as he is more defensive. Craig Roomes says: "I think city will stroll this game. Looking at Portsmouth's starting 11 i can only pick out 1 good name and that's 'Belhadj'. I think city will thump 5 past easily with Tevez x2, Shaun Wright Philips x2 and Bellamy on the score sheet. The only thing the City players will be playing for is a starting place in their next match!" Thanks for your views - any more, e-mail steve.pass2@bskyb.com[LNB] Fancy a bet? Sky Bet go 5/1 for a Portsmouth win, 3-1 the draw and 4/7 on for a City victory. I'm going for a 3-1 City win with Adebayor to score first which pays a handsome 33-1! What are your views / predictions for today's game - send your e-mails to steve.pass2@bskyb.com and I will post up the best throughout the afternoon.[LNB] Referee - Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)[LNB] Teams - Man City: Given, Richards, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Barry, Bellamy, Adebayor, Tevez. Subs: Taylor, Onuoha, Zabaleta, Robinho, Petrov, De Jong, Weiss.[LNB] Teams - Portsmouth: Begovic, Vanden Borre, Kaboul, Mokoena, Belhadj, Brown, Mullins, Hughes, Smith, Piquionne, Kranjcar. Subs: Ashdown, Kanu, Basinas, Nugent, Utaka, Ward, Hreidarsson.[LNB] Welcome to Fratton Park where Pompey take on City. Can Paul Hart's side claim their first points of the campaign or will City march on? Please send your views to steve.pass2@bskyb.com and I will post up the best throughout the afternoon.[LNB]
