Source: Eurosport
Defeat keeps Black Cats in trouble
Sunderland's bid for Barclays Premier League survival will go to the wire after two defensive howlers allowed Portsmouth to snatch a 3-1 victory at Fratton Park.[LNB] The Black Cats could have secured their top flight status with a win and they took the lead with a 59th minute strike from Kenwyne Jones.[LNB] But Portsmouth then scored twice inside seven minutes through John Utaka and Phil Bardsley's own-goal after a dreadful gaffe from Anton Ferdinand. Portsmouth wrapped up the victory three minutes from time after Armand Traore was allowed acres of space to angle his shot inside the far post.[LNB] The only consolation for Sunderland ahead of next Sunday's final league game at home to Chelsea is that their top-flight future remains in their own hands. Sunderland remain a point better off than Hull, who host Manchester United, and two ahead of local rivals Newcastle.[LNB] Portsmouth set the early pace and Peter Crouch saw his header rebound off the inside of the post and roll along the goal-line before Ferdinand slid in to clear.[LNB] Sunderland almost snatched a priceless half-time lead after Jones' downward glancing header struck the inside of the post and rolled across the goal-line.[LNB] The match lit up after 59 minutes when Jones provided the finishing touch after a swift counter-attack.[LNB] But at the other end, Utaka turned and rifled home his first goal of the season to level matters.[LNB] And seven minutes later Sunderland were behind after a howler from Ferdinand, who completely missed a routine long ball and allowed Utaka to steal into the box again.[LNB] Utaka dragged the ball past Marton Fulop and although full-back Bardsley did his best with a flying challenge he only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net. And Portsmouth wrapped up the win with three minutes remaining when Traore finished clinically.
