FT:Portsmouth 0-0 Newcastle: Both sides had glorious chances to win the game with Defoe and Owen guilty of missing from inside the six yard box as it ends level.
90
3 minutes of added time have been indicated.
88
Martins has looked the most likely to break the deadlock for Newcastle today and he almost manages it late on with a another useful strike that arrows just wide.
87
The tempo has slowed again here and players are hitting passes more in hope than expectation now - a goalless draw looks likely.
84
David James can be sublime and idiotic some days - and we have seen both today. He sprints out of his area and misses a header and only Smith and Martins tackling each other stops either getting a shot off.
83
Muntari has just tried what must be his sixth shot from all of 40 yards today - none of which have gone more than five yards, and this time the fans voice their disapproval.
82
Substitution
Alan Smith could not be described as prolific but he can cause a problem and he is on to do just that as he replaces Viduka.
79
The crowd inside Fratton Park are growing in frustration here as chances go begging for the home side and although Newcastle have gone a little quiet they have some deadliy finishers in their ranks.
76
And now Defoe has a half chance at the far post from a corner as he volleys with the outside of his foot bit it rises a little high and Newcastle escape again.
75
Substitution
David Nugent has been on the sidelines a lot this season but he has a chance now as he replaces a tiring Kanu.
74
And another chance for Defoe! He gets behind Faye and takes it down superbly but he doesn't catch it quite well enough and its slides a yard wide of the far post.
74
There is a goal brewing here but nobody could be sure which way it will go - or knowing the way things have gone so far today there will not be one at all anyway.
72
Now Geremi does get a shot in with a blistering shot from range and James makes a superb diving catch to deny Newcastle - the pace is up again now.
71
David James gets lucky and Michael Owen the complete opposite now! Owen flicks it goalwards from three yards out and its strikes James on the forehead and clips the bar before going out for a corner.
70
Surely Sulley Muntari will be hauled off soon - he gives it away horribly again in midfield and only Geremi's poor first touch stops Newcastle getting a shot in on goal.
69
Just as the pace picked up it has dropped again with everything becoming a little static and the long ball is getting a worrying amount of use.
66
That strike from Martins has woken Pompey up it seems but this is where Newcastle could be most dangerous with the pace of Owen and Martins on the break.
63
A quality break from Pompey and Defoe now works himself something from nothing and forces Harper into a good diving save low to his right - Pompey's first corner believe it or not.
61
And now Johnson defends brilliantly and bravely as another Geremi set-piece wreaks havoc in the home defence - Taylor was lurking then and would have had a free header.
60
Superb football from Glen Johnson as he plays a one two with Kanu before striking it left footed but its hits Defoe - who could not get out of the way - and deflects wide in the end.
59
Defoe is looking a lot brighter in this second half and is really starting to work Faye and Taylor in behind, sooner or later he will get another chance and he might not make the same mistake twice.
56
Muntari now makes a mess in midfield by dwelling on the ball and getting caught out by Barton and Martins forces a fine save from James down low at his near post.
54
A glorious chance for Defoe! Muntari with an elegant diagonal ball and Defoe's run is superb and he tries to cushion the ball into the far corner but its a foot wide, he really should and would have expected to score there.
53
Newcastle are piling on the pressure now with a series of crosses that have caused problems for Campbell, Distin and co.
51
Steve Harper almost makes the biggest howler of his career as he claims an inaccurate Hermann Hreidarsson cross only to almost carry the ball over hos own goal line - luckily for the keeper he realises just in time to save embarassment.
50
Newcastle have again started the brighter and Pompey have come out very sloppy this half. A shot in the arm is needed for them you feel.
47
Almost as soon as we kick off we are stopped again as Diop is down in his own box after a clash with Viduka - he is off for treatment but should be back.
Second half
The second half is underway with both sides hoping to add goals to the endeavour of the first period.
Half time
HT:Portsmouth 0-0 Newcastle: At the end of a lively first half the defences remain on top with the in-form strikers on show struggling to impose themselves.
45
And Steven Taylor does his besy acrobat impression at the other end as he tries a spectacular bicycle kick that flies just a few inches wide of goal.
45
There is to be one minute of added time here.
43
And on the break Diop chips it across for Kanu to volley at goal and Pompey want a penalty. It hit Taylor on the arm and you have seen them given, although having already struck his foot and bounced up it would have been harsh.
43
And from the corner Viduka should score! He is free in the six yard box but he mishits the volley and it falls straight into the arms of James.
43
Geremi's long free kick in is almost headed home by Owen' hair but James is alive to catch it near the top corner but he can only carry it out for a corner.
42
Yellow Card
Glen Johnson picks up a booking and he has no complaints as it was a blatant sliding trip on Enrique who was breaking beyond him.
41
A terrible free-kick from Muntari this time as he hits the foot of the wall. Kranjcar and Muntari have tried, with Defoe having hovered around them I have a feeling he will try next.
38
Martins has been lively today and he does brilliantly here to cut in off the left onto his right foot and his shot is not too far over the cross bar.
35
The pace of the game has dropped significantly in the last few minutes as both sides struggle to get their danger men in on the action - Defoe and Owen have been quiet.
32
Pompey almost fluke themselves into the lead as Defoe misses Muntari's cross and it strikes Kanu's knee and bobbles just a yard wide with Harper beaten.
29
Newcastle have been playing on the break recently and they have a superb one going here until Viduka gets a his shot or cross all wrong and neither troubles James or feeds Martins in on goal.
26
Kranjcar now curls a delightful free-kick towards Campbell at the back post and only a superb header from Faye stops the former Arsenal and Spurs man giving Pompey the lead.
23
But Defoe could be in now as Kranjcar slides one through the defence but it is an ounce too far and Harper is out smartly to smother.
22
Pompey are sometimes liable to panicking and trying to score from range too often - Bouba Diop is here as he swings his left foot at one from 25 yards with Defoe waiting for a pass.
20
Kanu wrote his name in Portsmouth history books last weekend with the Semi Final winning goal at Wembley but he is down now after a clash with Steven Taylor's forearm.
17
A waste from Martins! Barton robs Muntari in midfield and finds the Nigerian on the break but his cross it too low with Viduka and Owen both arriving at the back post as Campbell heads clear easily.
14
Kranjcar has really come to the fore for Pompey of late and he almost fallows his midweek effort with an identical strike here but Harper is behind it well to keep the Croatian at bay.
13
David James makes a trademark (a touch harsh these days) error as he misses his clearance but he gets away with it as the ball runs out for a corner before Martins can capitalise.
11
Jose Enrique shows some silky skills on the left hand side - although he then shows why he is a left back not a right winger as his right foot shot is more than a little high.
8
Almost a first chance for Defoe as he bends a run in behind the Toon defence but Diop delays too long and the diminuitive striker is offside.
7
Newcastle are passing the ball around really nicely so far and are working the Pompey midfield all over the park.
5
Geremi with a devilish little free-kick gives James something to think about and the Cameroon international will think someone should have got on the end of that one.
2
A very good start here! Johnson performs a clever V-feint on Enrique and Martins and his cross is inches away from Defoe and Kanu in the middle.
1
Obafemi Martins with arguably the most outrageous effort we will see today! He robs Diop on halfway and promptly tries to smash it over David James but the keeper - wearing a fetching cap - is alive to it.
Kickoff
Phil Dowd is today's match official and he gets us underway here on the South Coast in what promises to be an attractive game of football.
Kevin Keegan continues with his three man strikeforce of Owen, Viduka and Martins as Newcastle go in search of goals galore, however with Defoe in devastating form the defence will need to be sharp.
Awaiting Kickoff
Harry Redknapp was allegedly Newcastle's first choice to replace Sam Allardyce earlier this season but he can have no regrets and he is able to bring back Jermain Defoe after he missed the midweek win at West Ham.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to Fratton Park where in-form FA Cup finalists Portsmouth welcome Kevin Keegan's rapidly improving Newcastle.
Portsmouth
Newcastle United
Full time
FT:Portsmouth 0-0 Newcastle: Both sides had glorious chances to win the game with Defoe and Owen guilty of missing from inside the six yard box as it ends level.
3 minutes of added time have been indicated.
Martins has looked the most likely to break the deadlock for Newcastle today and he almost manages it late on with a another useful strike that arrows just wide.
The tempo has slowed again here and players are hitting passes more in hope than expectation now - a goalless draw looks likely.
David James can be sublime and idiotic some days - and we have seen both today. He sprints out of his area and misses a header and only Smith and Martins tackling each other stops either getting a shot off.
Muntari has just tried what must be his sixth shot from all of 40 yards today - none of which have gone more than five yards, and this time the fans voice their disapproval.
Substitution
Alan Smith could not be described as prolific but he can cause a problem and he is on to do just that as he replaces Viduka.
The crowd inside Fratton Park are growing in frustration here as chances go begging for the home side and although Newcastle have gone a little quiet they have some deadliy finishers in their ranks.
And now Defoe has a half chance at the far post from a corner as he volleys with the outside of his foot bit it rises a little high and Newcastle escape again.
Substitution
David Nugent has been on the sidelines a lot this season but he has a chance now as he replaces a tiring Kanu.
And another chance for Defoe! He gets behind Faye and takes it down superbly but he doesn't catch it quite well enough and its slides a yard wide of the far post.
There is a goal brewing here but nobody could be sure which way it will go - or knowing the way things have gone so far today there will not be one at all anyway.
Now Geremi does get a shot in with a blistering shot from range and James makes a superb diving catch to deny Newcastle - the pace is up again now.
David James gets lucky and Michael Owen the complete opposite now! Owen flicks it goalwards from three yards out and its strikes James on the forehead and clips the bar before going out for a corner.
Surely Sulley Muntari will be hauled off soon - he gives it away horribly again in midfield and only Geremi's poor first touch stops Newcastle getting a shot in on goal.
Just as the pace picked up it has dropped again with everything becoming a little static and the long ball is getting a worrying amount of use.
That strike from Martins has woken Pompey up it seems but this is where Newcastle could be most dangerous with the pace of Owen and Martins on the break.
A quality break from Pompey and Defoe now works himself something from nothing and forces Harper into a good diving save low to his right - Pompey's first corner believe it or not.
And now Johnson defends brilliantly and bravely as another Geremi set-piece wreaks havoc in the home defence - Taylor was lurking then and would have had a free header.
Superb football from Glen Johnson as he plays a one two with Kanu before striking it left footed but its hits Defoe - who could not get out of the way - and deflects wide in the end.
Defoe is looking a lot brighter in this second half and is really starting to work Faye and Taylor in behind, sooner or later he will get another chance and he might not make the same mistake twice.
Muntari now makes a mess in midfield by dwelling on the ball and getting caught out by Barton and Martins forces a fine save from James down low at his near post.
A glorious chance for Defoe! Muntari with an elegant diagonal ball and Defoe's run is superb and he tries to cushion the ball into the far corner but its a foot wide, he really should and would have expected to score there.
Newcastle are piling on the pressure now with a series of crosses that have caused problems for Campbell, Distin and co.
Steve Harper almost makes the biggest howler of his career as he claims an inaccurate Hermann Hreidarsson cross only to almost carry the ball over hos own goal line - luckily for the keeper he realises just in time to save embarassment.
Newcastle have again started the brighter and Pompey have come out very sloppy this half. A shot in the arm is needed for them you feel.
Almost as soon as we kick off we are stopped again as Diop is down in his own box after a clash with Viduka - he is off for treatment but should be back.
Second half
The second half is underway with both sides hoping to add goals to the endeavour of the first period.
Half time
HT:Portsmouth 0-0 Newcastle: At the end of a lively first half the defences remain on top with the in-form strikers on show struggling to impose themselves.
And Steven Taylor does his besy acrobat impression at the other end as he tries a spectacular bicycle kick that flies just a few inches wide of goal.
There is to be one minute of added time here.
And on the break Diop chips it across for Kanu to volley at goal and Pompey want a penalty. It hit Taylor on the arm and you have seen them given, although having already struck his foot and bounced up it would have been harsh.
And from the corner Viduka should score! He is free in the six yard box but he mishits the volley and it falls straight into the arms of James.
Geremi's long free kick in is almost headed home by Owen' hair but James is alive to catch it near the top corner but he can only carry it out for a corner.
Yellow Card
Glen Johnson picks up a booking and he has no complaints as it was a blatant sliding trip on Enrique who was breaking beyond him.
A terrible free-kick from Muntari this time as he hits the foot of the wall. Kranjcar and Muntari have tried, with Defoe having hovered around them I have a feeling he will try next.
Martins has been lively today and he does brilliantly here to cut in off the left onto his right foot and his shot is not too far over the cross bar.
The pace of the game has dropped significantly in the last few minutes as both sides struggle to get their danger men in on the action - Defoe and Owen have been quiet.
Pompey almost fluke themselves into the lead as Defoe misses Muntari's cross and it strikes Kanu's knee and bobbles just a yard wide with Harper beaten.
Newcastle have been playing on the break recently and they have a superb one going here until Viduka gets a his shot or cross all wrong and neither troubles James or feeds Martins in on goal.
Kranjcar now curls a delightful free-kick towards Campbell at the back post and only a superb header from Faye stops the former Arsenal and Spurs man giving Pompey the lead.
But Defoe could be in now as Kranjcar slides one through the defence but it is an ounce too far and Harper is out smartly to smother.
Pompey are sometimes liable to panicking and trying to score from range too often - Bouba Diop is here as he swings his left foot at one from 25 yards with Defoe waiting for a pass.
Kanu wrote his name in Portsmouth history books last weekend with the Semi Final winning goal at Wembley but he is down now after a clash with Steven Taylor's forearm.
A waste from Martins! Barton robs Muntari in midfield and finds the Nigerian on the break but his cross it too low with Viduka and Owen both arriving at the back post as Campbell heads clear easily.
Kranjcar has really come to the fore for Pompey of late and he almost fallows his midweek effort with an identical strike here but Harper is behind it well to keep the Croatian at bay.
David James makes a trademark (a touch harsh these days) error as he misses his clearance but he gets away with it as the ball runs out for a corner before Martins can capitalise.
Jose Enrique shows some silky skills on the left hand side - although he then shows why he is a left back not a right winger as his right foot shot is more than a little high.
Almost a first chance for Defoe as he bends a run in behind the Toon defence but Diop delays too long and the diminuitive striker is offside.
Newcastle are passing the ball around really nicely so far and are working the Pompey midfield all over the park.
Geremi with a devilish little free-kick gives James something to think about and the Cameroon international will think someone should have got on the end of that one.
A very good start here! Johnson performs a clever V-feint on Enrique and Martins and his cross is inches away from Defoe and Kanu in the middle.
Obafemi Martins with arguably the most outrageous effort we will see today! He robs Diop on halfway and promptly tries to smash it over David James but the keeper - wearing a fetching cap - is alive to it.
Kickoff
Phil Dowd is today's match official and he gets us underway here on the South Coast in what promises to be an attractive game of football.
Awaiting Kickoff
Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Faye, Taylor, Jose Enrique, Geremi, Butt, Barton, Owen, Viduka, Martins
Awaiting Kickoff
Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Diop, Davis, Muntari, Kranjcar, Defoe, Kanu
Awaiting Kickoff
Kevin Keegan continues with his three man strikeforce of Owen, Viduka and Martins as Newcastle go in search of goals galore, however with Defoe in devastating form the defence will need to be sharp.
Awaiting Kickoff
Harry Redknapp was allegedly Newcastle's first choice to replace Sam Allardyce earlier this season but he can have no regrets and he is able to bring back Jermain Defoe after he missed the midweek win at West Ham.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to Fratton Park where in-form FA Cup finalists Portsmouth welcome Kevin Keegan's rapidly improving Newcastle.