Both teams are going through the motions now. Pompey are off the bottom of the table in style.

Papa Bouba Diop fouls Yakubu but Arteta's free kick flies over.

Even Phil Neville is trying his luck now but James catches his left footed effort from 20 yards.

Jagielka feeds Yakubu on the edge of the area but the former Pompey man can't get his shot away properly and the balls drifts harmlessly wide.

Many of the home fans have seen enough. Everton have had plenty of chances today but have been punished for their wastefulness.

Yakubu fires a firm volley low to James' left, but the Pompey keeper is equal to it and pushes the shot wide.

Baxter's scuffed shot falls kindly to Anichebe but his first touch lets him down and James gathers.

Yakubu tries his luck from distance but it is an easy stop for James.

The Toffees look threatening down the left but no one is in the box to meet Baines' inviting cross.

Everton continue to boss possession but they appear to be running short of ideas and seem deflated by Yakubu's missed penalty.

Rodwell bursts into the box again but heads Arteta's cross over.

Traore skips away from Neville and cuts back for Defoe, but Joseph Yobo intervenes to clear.

Pompey make a rare foray into Everton's defensive third but Diarra's corner evades everyone and the danegr passes.

Leon Osman fires at goal but it will take something better than that to beat James, who makes a regulation save.

Another penalty shout from Everton as James and Yakubu tangle, but the referee gives a corner. Everton are well on top but need to make the pressure count.

Baines makes good progress down the left and nearly picks out the arriving Rodwell, but James gathers .

Everton are showing the necessary urgency to get back into the game, but that missed spot kick rather sums up their profligacy in front of goal.

Johnson bundles over James Vaughan and referee Halsey points to the spot. Yakubu steps up but his effort is weak and easily palmed away by the apparently unbeatable James.

There were no changes at the break, although David Moyes will be thinking about introducing Victor Anichebe at some stage as his team chase the game.

Yakubu holds up the ball well and slides in Leon Osman, but the shot is too near James.

A good save from James prevents Joleon Lescott's header from going into the top corner.

Pompey play some neat short passes in midfield but fail to make progress into Everton's half. Crouch and Defoe are currently a little isolated.

Everton are suddenly looking dangerous, Yakubu slicing a half-volley wide and Rodwell heading off target from Arteta's free kick.

A great goal line intervention by Younes Kaboul denies Yakubu, who was about to nod into an empty net after James got caught out by a deflected cross.

Portsmouth appear to have weathered Everton's storm and are again showing more threat in attack. The home crowd is getting restless as half time approaches.

Defoe is looking sharp today and tries his luck from 25 yards, but it is a comfortable save for Howard.

Pompey are now content to play on the break, hoping to utilise the pace of Defoe.

Leighton Baines bursts down the Everton left and finds Yakubu, but the big striker's effort is well off target.

Everton are building the pressure on the away side's defence, with Jack Rodwell showing some nice touches in the middle of the park.

Arteta swings in a corner from the right but Crouch clears the danger from the near post.

Arteta does get into the action and is unlucky not to level the game. Yakubu picks him out near the penalty spot and the Spaniard seems set to score, but David James turns his shot onto the post.

Everton are gradually improving but are yet to create a clear chance, with playmaker Mikel Arteta still on the game's fringes.

Portsmouth nearly double their advantage as Everton fail to clear Traore's free kick. Crouch nodded down inside the box but Defoe couldn't convert this time.

Armand Traore nearly gets behind the home defence down the left hand side but the ball runs out of play.

Portsmouth look the most likely team to open the scoring, with Lassana Diarra prominent in midfield.

Jermain Defoe thinks he has sprung the Everton offside trap but the flag is up.

Former Liverpool man Peter Crouch is getting some stick from the home crowd, whilst the visiting support think better of booing their former hitman Yakubu - he has four goals in his last three league games.

The visitors continue to have the better of the opening exchanges as the Toffees struggle to keep hold of the ball.

Pompey make a bright start and win a corner from the right. Everton clear.