Source: Eurosport
Baggies denied by fine Niko strike
Niko Kranjcar's superb free-kick denied West Brom victory in Saturday's Premier League relegation clash at Fratton Park, which ended 2-2.Pompey, who have lost just one of their last six matches, looked in full control after dominating the first half with, Younes Kaboul's brilliant opener giving them a deserved lead.But West Brom struck back after the interval, drawing level through Jonathan Greening after keeper David James had been peppered with shots.A glimmer of hope in their battle for survival then appeared in the 62nd minute when Chris Brunt converted a precision free-kick.But their lead lasted just three minutes as the lively Kranjcar replied in an eventful second half, curling a delicious 25-yard free-kick past Scott Carson.It was a cruel blow for a spirited West Brom side, who had battled back superbly as they sought to improve their winless run of nine matches - a sequence that includes six defeats.They started the day eight points adrift of safety and their failure to prevail at Fratton Park nudges them ever closer to the Championship.The point has also done little to enhance Pompey's position as they seek to ease their own relegation fears.Boss Paul Hart will be concerned by the way his side fell apart after the break, but he could at least take consolation from the efforts of Kaboul.Kaboul's appetite for work was evident from the start as he profited from Pompey's early superiority to launch a series of raids.He flashed a promising effort wide of the left post but then squandered a glut of possession with a series of poor final balls while Jermaine Pennant spoilt a good idea with an overhit pass.Kranjcar appealed for handball against Abdoulaye Meite, playing his first match since Ivory Coast's World Cup qualifier against Malawi two weeks ago when 19 spectators died, but referee Mike Dean was unimpressed.It was then Pompey's turn to come under pressure with James coming to their rescue twice in quick succession.He easily dealt with Robert Koren's turn and shot but had to dive to keep out James Morrison's close-range effort following a dreadful mix-up between Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin.The left post denied Kranjcar in the 27th minute and moments later Pennant blasted narrowly wide as West Brom came back under the cosh.Kranjcar tried to outmuscle two West Brom defenders at the far post but the Baggies wall held firm and the Croatian then acrobatically met a Pennant cross, directing it wide.It seemed only a matter of time before the breakthrough arrived and Pompey delivered through Kaboul in the 33rd minute.Pennant did the initial damage, forcing the ball to Kaboul who dashed into the area, rounded Greening and smashed the ball into the top left corner of the net.Brunt almost issued an instant response for West Brom but his low shot missed by inches.A dynamic run by Gianni Zuiverloon put Pompey under further pressure but James read the move beautifully and got fingertips to the final pass in the nick of time.The second half was just two minutes old when West Brom equalised with a well-worked move that also had a touch of luck to it.Brunt collected an inch-perfect pass that bisected Pompey's defence but his deflected shot was kept out by James, who then had to deal with Morrison's rebound.This time James could only palm the ball out as far as Greening, who made no mistake from close range.Meite was easily robbed in midfield by David Nugent but the Pompey striker was bundled off the ball by Jonas Olsson, who then engaged in a shoving match with Crouch.West Brom were in the ascendancy and they sent their[LNB]
