Live Commentary
- 94mins
Brynjar Gunnarsson concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke Varney. Tal Ben-Haim restarts play with the free kick.
- 93mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Brynjar Gunnarsson on Benjani Mwaruwari. Tal Ben-Haim takes the direct free kick.
- 91mins
Foul by Joel Ward on Ian Harte, free kick awarded. Joel Ward receives a caution. Free kick crossed left-footed by Ian Harte from left wing, save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 88mins
Corner taken short by Jobi McAnuff.
- 87mins
Effort on goal by Jobi McAnuff from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
- 85mins
(Portsmouth) makes a substitution, with Joel Ward coming on for Liam Lawrence.
- 84mins
Alex Pearce challenges Benjani Mwaruwari unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alex Pearce goes into the book. Liam Lawrence crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by Bongani Khumalo.
- 82mins
Brian Howard on for Jem Karacan.
- 82mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jason Pearce by Hal Robson-Kanu. Free kick taken by Greg Halford.
- 83mins
Inswinging corner taken by Liam Lawrence from the left by-line, Jason Pearce takes a shot. Adam Federici makes a save.
- 81mins
Effort from inside the box by Luke Varney bounces off the post.
- 81mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aaron Mokoena by Noel Hunt. Free kick taken by Aaron Mokoena.
- 79mins
The ball is swung over by Ian Harte, save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 77mins
The referee blows for offside against Benjani Mwaruwari. Indirect free kick taken by Bongani Khumalo.
- 74mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Dave Kitson on Mikele Leigertwood. (Portsmouth) makes a substitution, with Benjani Mwaruwari coming on for Nwankwo Kanu. Ian Harte restarts play with the free kick.
- 73mins
Corner taken by Jem Karacan, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Ashdown by Hal Robson-Kanu. Jamie Ashdown takes the free kick.
- 70mins
Andy Griffin goes off and Brynjar Gunnarsson comes on.
- 71mins
The ball is swung over by Jimmy Kebe, save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 72mins
Inswinging corner taken by Ian Harte, Hayden Mullins makes a clearance.
- 69mins
Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jobi McAnuff, Jamie Ashdown makes a save.
- 69mins
Hal Robson-Kanu takes a shot. Save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 69mins
David Norris gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jimmy Kebe. Andy Griffin takes the direct free kick.
- 65mins
Hal Robson-Kanu replaces Mathieu Manset.
- 64mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Liam Lawrence by Andy Griffin. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Liam Lawrence from right wing.
- 64mins
Corner from the left by-line taken by Liam Lawrence, Ian Harte manages to make a clearance.
- 63mins
Corner taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence, clearance by Alex Pearce.
- 63mins
Nwankwo Kanu takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.
- 62mins
Liam Lawrence gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ian Harte. Ian Harte takes the free kick.
- 60mins
Jem Karacan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Norris. Free kick taken by Greg Halford.
- 59mins
Outswinging corner taken by Ian Harte from the left by-line, save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 58mins
Foul by Aaron Mokoena on Jobi McAnuff, free kick awarded. Adam Federici restarts play with the free kick.
- 57mins
Noel Hunt challenges Jason Pearce unfairly and gives away a free kick. Noel Hunt is given a yellow card. Jamie Ashdown takes the free kick.
- 55mins
Header by Luke Varney from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.
- 54mins
The assistant referee flags for offside against Dave Kitson. Indirect free kick taken by Adam Federici.
- 54mins
Jem Karacan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Norris. Direct free kick taken by Greg Halford.
- 53mins
Effort from outside the penalty box by Nwankwo Kanu goes wide left of the goal.
- 52mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nwankwo Kanu by Noel Hunt. Tal Ben-Haim restarts play with the free kick.
- 51mins
Luke Varney concedes a free kick for a foul on Jimmy Kebe. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Ian Harte, clearance by Hayden Mullins.
- 50mins
Corner taken by Liam Lawrence from the right by-line, Dave Kitson grabs a goal from deep inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Portsmouth 1-0 Reading.Assist by Liam Lawrence.
- 49mins
Liam Lawrence delivers the ball, Header by Luke Varney from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.
- 48mins
Noel Hunt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tal Ben-Haim. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Ashdown.
- 47mins
Hayden Mullins fouled by Jobi McAnuff, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Ashdown.
- 47mins
Nwankwo Kanu is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Andy Griffin takes the free kick.
- 46mins
Noel Hunt is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Jamie Ashdown takes the free kick.
- 43mins
Corner taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence from the right by-line, Andy Griffin manages to make a clearance.
- 42mins
Ian Harte has an effort at goal from outside the area which misses left.
- 40mins
Jimmy Kebe concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke Varney. Liam Lawrence delivers the ball, Jason Pearce takes a shot. Adam Federici makes a save.
- 39mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andy Griffin by Nwankwo Kanu. Andy Griffin restarts play with the free kick.
- 38mins
Volleyed shot by Liam Lawrence went over the goal.
- 37mins
Jem Karacan takes a shot. Save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 36mins
Mathieu Manset gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aaron Mokoena. Direct free kick taken by Aaron Mokoena.
- 36mins
David Norris takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.
- 34mins
Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence from the right by-line, clearance by Mathieu Manset.
- 35mins
Tal Ben-Haim takes a shot from 35 yards and went wide left of the target.
- 34mins
Nwankwo Kanu takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.
- 33mins
David Norris has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
- 32mins
Jimmy Kebe has a headed effort at goal from close in that bounces off the post.
- 31mins
Unfair challenge on Mikele Leigertwood by Aaron Mokoena results in a free kick. Ian Harte takes the direct free kick.
- 29mins
Nwankwo Kanu takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.
- 27mins
Dave Kitson takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.
- 27mins
Mikele Leigertwood challenges Nwankwo Kanu unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Luke Varney.
- 25mins
Shot on goal by Jobi McAnuff from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
- 22mins
The offside flag is raised against David Norris. Adam Federici takes the indirect free kick.
- 21mins
Unfair challenge on Mikele Leigertwood by Dave Kitson results in a free kick. Andy Griffin restarts play with the free kick.
- 18mins
Foul by Hayden Mullins on Jimmy Kebe, free kick awarded. Hayden Mullins goes into the book for unsporting behaviour. Andy Griffin takes the free kick.
- 18mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Mikele Leigertwood on David Norris. Greg Halford takes the direct free kick.
- 17mins
Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence from the right by-line, save by Adam Federici.
- 15mins
The referee blows for offside against Dave Kitson. Adam Federici takes the indirect free kick.
- 12mins
Corner taken by Jobi McAnuff from the right by-line to the near post, save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 12mins
Short corner worked by Liam Lawrence.
- 11mins
Greg Halford takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.
- 11mins
Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence, Ian Harte makes a clearance.
- 11mins
Liam Lawrence takes the outswinging corner, Ian Harte manages to make a clearance.
- 9mins
The referee blows for offside against Jimmy Kebe. Jamie Ashdown restarts play with the free kick.
- 7mins
Andy Griffin takes a shot. Save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 4mins
Inswinging corner taken by Jobi McAnuff, Alex Pearce has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.
- 3mins
Corner taken left-footed by Ian Harte, save by Jamie Ashdown.
- 2mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jimmy Kebe by Tal Ben-Haim. Free kick taken by Andy Griffin.
- 1mins
Corner taken by Liam Lawrence from the left by-line, clearance by Ian Harte.
Corner taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Mathieu Manset.
Match Preview
Benjani ready for Pompey start Benjani Mwaruwari could make his second Portsmouth debut against Reading. The 33-year-old striker signed a one-year deal to return to Pompey on Saturday morning after leaving Blackburn. Boss Steve Cotterill is considering throwing Benjani, who scored 19 goals in 77 appearances during his first spell on the south coast, straight in at the deep end. Dave Kitson, a substitute during Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Brighton, is likely to partner Benjani in place of veteran frontman Kanu. At the back, Jason Pearce will make his first appearance since joining from Bournemouth over the summer. The centre-half has missed the first three matches of the season as he was suspended due to a red card in last term's play-off semi-final. Reading boss Brian McDermott will be able to call upon the services of Jay Tabb for the first time this season as the midfielder returns from suspension. Tabb missed the Royals' first two league matches against Millwall and Leicester after he was sent-off at half-time in the play-off final defeat to Swansea last season for comments he made to match officials. Shaun Cummings and Marcus Williams have recovered from injury and will be in contention while Simon Church returned to training on Sunday following a thigh injury and could feature. Striker Mathieu Manset came off in the second half of the 2-0 win over the Foxes with cramp but he will be fine for the Pompey game.
Portsmouth
Reading
- Jamie Ashdown
- Tal Ben-Haim
- Aaron Mokoena
- Greg Halford
- Jason Pearce
- Liam Lawrence
- Hayden Mullins
- David Norris
- Luke Varney
- Nwankwo Kanu
- Dave Kitson
- SUBS
- Stephen Henderson
- Joel Ward
- Ricardo Rocha
- Ryan Williams
- Benjani Mwaruwari
Home
Away
- Adam Federici
- Andy Griffin
- Alex Pearce
- Bongani Khumalo
- Ian Harte
- Jimmy Kebe
- Mikele Leigertwood
- Jem Karacan
- Jobi McAnuff
- Mathieu Manset
- Noel Hunt
- SUBS
- Alex McCarthy
- Brynjar Gunnarsson
- Jay Tabb
- Hal Robson-Kanu
- Brian Howard
Match Report
Kitson strike seals Pompey's first win Dave Kitson struck against his former club Reading to give Portsmouth a 1-0 win - their first npower Championship victory of the season. Kitson missed a sitter in the first half but made amends shortly after the break with a well-taken volley from Liam Lawrence's corner. Both sides hit the woodwork during a first half dominated by Pompey and Kitson's strike was no more than Steve Cotterill's team deserved. Jamie Ashdown kept his side ahead with a superb point-blank save to thwart Noel Hunt as Reading, unlike against Leicester on Saturday, looked lightweight in attack without last season's top goalscorer Shane Long. Portsmouth made two changes following the home defeat to Brighton at the weekend. Jason Pearce and Kitson came into the side at the expense of Joel Ward and Hermann Hreidarsson. Benjani Mwaruwari started on the bench on his return to Fratton Park. Reading were unchanged from the team that started the impressive 2-0 win at Leicester. Greg Halford hit the crossbar early on against his old club with a shot from just outside the box. But it was another former Royal who should have opened the scoring soon afterwards when Kitson was put through on goal by Hayden Mullins only to shoot tamely at Adam Federici. Jimmy Kebe's diving header from Jobi McAnuff's cross looked like going in the top corner but struck the woodwork just after the half-hour. Back at the other end, David Norris steered a shot wide from close range after he was set up by Luke Varney and Nwankwo Kanu stung Federici's palms with a 25-yard shot. Pompey continued to put Reading under pressure and made the breakthrough after 51 minutes when the unmarked Kitson volleyed home from 10 yards out. Federici tipped another long-range effort from Kanu over the crossbar before his opposite number Ashdown reacted quickly to deny Hunt midway through the second half. Benjani was given a rousing reception on his return to Fratton Park, where he hit a hat-trick in a 3-1 win against Derby on his last appearance for Pompey on January 19, 2008. He replaced Kanu and soon set up Varney with a beautifully-weighted pass with the outside of his foot which the former Blackpool striker volleyed just wide. Reading applied some late pressure but last season's Championship play-off finalists could not fashion an opening.
Form Guide
- DL
- Portsmouth
- VS
- Reading DW
Last Meetings
- Reading
- 2 - 0
- Portsmouth
- 02/04/2011
- Portsmouth
- 1 - 1
- Reading
- 14/08/2010
- Portsmouth
- 3 - 0
- Reading
- 21/04/2003
- Reading
- 0 - 0
- Portsmouth
- 07/12/2002
- Reading
- 0 - 1
- Portsmouth
- 21/02/1998
- Portsmouth
- 0 - 2
- Reading
- 27/09/1997
Top Scorers
Portsmouth
- D Norris 1
- L Varney 1
Reading
- M Manset 2
- N Hunt 1
- H Robson-Kanu 1
Goals
Portsmouth
- Total goals 5
- Goals per game 2
- (For) 1 (Against) Period 21-30 mins
- 1 (For) 1 (Against) Period 41-50 mins
- (For) 1 (Against) Period 51-60 mins
- 1 (For) Period 81-90 mins
Reading
- Total goals 7
- Goals per game 4
- (For) 1 (Against) Period 41-50 mins
- 1 (For) 1 (Against) Period 61-70 mins
- 3 (For) Period 81-90 mins
