Portsmouth deservedly take the points after an awesome performance, particularly in the first half that Southampton never recovered from.

Southampton force a corner in the dying moments but Rory Delap's header is easily caught by Ashdown.

Southampton look for another consolation goal but Kevin Phillips' shot from the edge of the box goes wide.

Pompey come forward again but Matthew Taylor can only find the crowd with a 25 yard attempt.

Portsmouth find space for Andy Griffin who brings a save out of Niemi, Kamara picks up the rebound but Niemi saves comfortably.

Andrew Griffin goes into the referee's notebook following a foul on Danny Higginbotham.

Diomansy Kamara surges forward and beats three players but his shot is lifter over the bar with only Niemi to beat.

Portsmouth are happy to just keep the ball now and Southampton look a beaten side.

Portsmouth still look the most threatening but Diomansy Kamara's shot is well off target.

The home side work the ball to Gary O'Neil but his dipping 25 yarder is just too high.

Portsmouth make another change and replace Yakubu with Giannis Skopelitis

Southampton maintain some pressure but with the keeper slightly out of position Camara scuffs his shot into the ground.

Southampton work the ball to Quashie and, much to the delight of the home crowd, sends his right foot shot high into the stands.

The tempo of the game has slowed as perhaps both teams can sense that this game is already over.

There seems no signs of a revival from Southampton as it is the home side that look more likely to score.

Quashie side-steps Stone and lets fly from fully 25 yards but Ashdown makes a great fingertip save.

Although Southampton are playing better they have offered little threat and Pompey look comfortable.

Jamie Redknapp gets booked after a wild lunge at Steve Stone.

Diomansy Kamara picks the ball up from deep and is allowed to run but his shot is always going wide.

Portsmouth break after a loose pass from Redknapp and feed Yakubu in the box but his first touch takes him wide and he blasts his shot into the side-netting.

Patrik Berger, who has taken a knock, is substituted and Aliou Cisse takes his place.

Southampton are playing a lot better than they did in the first half but Portsmouth still look comfortable.

The game has slowed after Patrik Berger has picked up an ankle knock and has been receiving treatment.

So far the second half does not have the same tempo as the first but Portsmouth are still looking to attack.

Southampton make a change at half time and replace Matt Oakley with Olivier Bernard and Portsmouth get the game restarted.

Portsmouth have been in charge of this game from the first whistle and thoroughly deserve their lead although Niemi has contributed with some awful decisions.

The home side work some space for Diomansy Kamara but he wildly slashes his shot over the bar.

Portsmouth attack well again and feed Berger on the edge of the box but is shot goes inches wide.

Southampton counter and move the ball well but Phillips' shot from outside the box is straight at Ashdown.

Portsmouth work some lovely build up play but Berger blazes his shot high into the crowd.

Claus Lundekvam gets booked after first committing a foul on Steve Stone and then kicking the ball away.

Matthew Taylor cuts in from the left but doesn't get hold of his right footed shot and Niemi comfortably makes the save.

Patrik Berger goes for goal from a tight angle but Niemi is alert and tips the ball behind.

The game has settled down a bit but portsmouth still look a threat every time they go forward.

Richard Hughes gets a yellow card following a late tackle on former team mate Nigel Quashie.

The goal hero LuaLua has picked up an injury and he is replaced by Diomansy Kamara.

The ball breaks to Lomana Tresor LuaLua who curls a 25 yard effort in off the post.

Southampton seem to have had the wind knocked out of them after Niemi's howler but they need to regroup to get themselves back in this game.

Niemi charges out of his box but can only chest his clearance to LuaLua who clips the ball over Lundekvam into an empty net.

Henri Camara beats De Zeeuw and Stefanovic and from a tight angle rifles an unstoppable shot past Ashdown.

Patrik Berger whips over a great free kick and Arjen De Zeeuw buries his header past Niemi.

Southampton manage to keep the ball for a spell and force a corner after some neat passing.

Portsmouth break quickly and LuaLua is allowed to run from deep but his 25 yard curler is tipped over by Niemi.

Portsmouth are well on top and force a corner but Stefanovic can only deflect Berger's cross over the bar.

It is not the start that Southampton wanted and Portsmouth have certainly been buoyed by the early goal.

Yakubu coolly sidefoots the spot kick into the roof of the net to give Portsmouth the lead.

Lomana Tresor LuaLua latches onto a Taylor long ball and is brought down by Niemi to earn a penalty.

Steve Dunn blows his whistle and Southampton get the game underway

Southampton are forced into a change after Peter Crouch hurts his hamstring in the warm up and he he is replaced by Henri Camara