Portsmouth 2 City 1

February 10, 2007

PEDRO Mendes and Kanu both scored as Portsmouth recorded their first win in seven Barclays Premiership matches against Manchester City at Fratton Park.

However, the victory was marred by the sight of Portuguese midfielder Mendes being carried off on a stretcher after City's Joey Barton appeared to tread on his opponent's Achilles tendon just before half-time.

Mendes had scored with a stunning 25-yard strike in only the fifth minute but after his departure Bernardo Corradi produced an equaliser just after the hour only to see that overtaken by substitute Kanu's 12th goal of the season late on.

The Barton challenge doubly cost Portsmouth as manager Harry Redknapp was sent to the stands for the second half after confronting referee Mike Dean in the tunnel at the interval.

Mendes, who was sidelined by City's Ben Thatcher earlier in the season, opened the scoring with a 20 yard rocket and there could have been more before half time when Lomana LuaLua twice forced Andreas Isaksson into making good saves while Micah Richards almost scored an own goal when the Portsmouth forward fired across goal.

City struggled to get forward although Corradi forced former Blues keeper David James into making a fantastic save from a header.

Pompey were somewhat unsettled by the loss of Mendes and after the break City took advantage.

Vassell broke on the right and delivered a delightful cross for Corradi to head in.

City appeared to be gaining the upper hand but Pompey boss Harry Redknapp's substitution saw another former Blue, Andy Cole, replaced by Kanu, who was only been on the pitch for 10 mintes before he got on the end of a clever back pass and score.

What did you think of City's performance? Have your say.

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RatherBeDeadThanRed, Manchester (10/02/2007 at 20:06)

we want pearce out we want pearce out.

Edski Vega, Notts (10/02/2007 at 20:10)

Utterly PREDICTED it exactly how it happened on Friday, except I said it would be 2-0 to Pompey! 6 shots with ONLY 3 on target compared to Pompey's 17 with 10 on target says it all. No use complaining, it has never worked before.... just gotta accept Pearce is taking us down... lets enjoy the skills of Barton, Richards and Distin for the last few times before they walk out in the Summer.

Jamie, Denton (10/02/2007 at 20:10)

Looks like we are going down NOW!! Pearce must go NOW - Clueless formations, crazy team selections - use BBC premiership predictor - we go down and Charlton survive. That 7 goals conceded and 1 scored in 3 games - relegation form. Absolute JOKE!!

Jesper, Denmark (10/02/2007 at 20:13)

Telling...the day Corradi finally finds the net, we still lose... But a predictable loss. This team is bereft of confidence and I wonder how much longer the board will accept this slump. New ideas are needed, if City are not going to be the team battling with Hammers, Charlton and Watford against relegation. Tonight Isaksson was a great example of the new spark and energy needed, now we need the same new energy in the managers seat! CTID.

Peter, Hollingworth (10/02/2007 at 20:14)

Okay Happy Clappies how many more games do we have to lose before youy realise we are in a relegation dogfight?? Pearce is clueless - way out of his depth - Sack him NOW or we go down!! Miller rather than Sturridge on the bench - I just give up

C1TY, Manchester (10/02/2007 at 20:15)

isaksson, richards, dunne, distin, ball, corradi all played well. Barton, dabo and ireland were farsacle and a waste of time today. No good slagging pearce and the board off on here or on the phone in its about time we mayed ourselves heard at the stadium, voteing with your feet doesnt work it just means the chairman and board dont have to pay the rent on the stadium for another weak.

Martin, Droylsden (10/02/2007 at 20:15)

Pearce must go NOW we are heading down look at the fixture list - he is not fit to manage a non-league side....

MIKE 83, middleton (10/02/2007 at 20:16)

That was bad very bad. I watched the 'good to be back dvd'[1st season back in prem with kk] this morning and how times have changed its mind blowing! pearce is alot worse than kk. Up until now I haven't got on his back, but only cause 3 teams are worse than us we will stay up-well i hope anyway I would take 17th now. Can only see city winning 2 games now lets just hope it's enough.

Edski Vega, Notts (10/02/2007 at 20:17)

Don't worry - we have easy games against Arsenal AWAY and Chelsea coming up.... we will do just fine!

gazza, margate (exiled manc ) (10/02/2007 at 20:20)

thankfully we took 9 points at xmas cos thing's could be alot worse !!!!!!!!!!!!I think City are now in big trouble thats hope the bottom three keep loosing cos i cann't see City winning to many . Should City get rid of SP ? Don't know !! Is it to late to replace him , Gazza CTID

Danny, Mossley (10/02/2007 at 20:21)

That is the last straw - we are sinking quicker than the titanic - Pearce must go NOW!!

John B, Bury (10/02/2007 at 20:22)

It is never the wrong time to change manager - Look how Macclesfield and Rochdale have done in such a short time since new managers came in - RELEAGATION certainties.... a million percent turn around and a stack of 4-0 wins home and away!

Torrybluestew., Spain (10/02/2007 at 20:25)

17th Richest Club in the World, but we still can't compete with the Real Big Clubs like.....Er.....Portsmouth, Reading, Bolton, Wigan, Blackburn & Watford, with their massive crowds & endless resources. It's now Wake-Up time. The Championship is beckoning. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!

stuart malcolm, macclesfield (10/02/2007 at 20:25)

No more than expected! Totally woeful. The Trap Door is inching open! Leicester here we come - then onward and downward. Thanks Messrs Wardle and Pearce.

Roger, Absolutely fed up with Pearce (10/02/2007 at 20:25)

Another Saturday night ruined - Pearce is taking us down we must get rid NOW - who de we apppoint say the happy clappies - well the cleaing lady has more chance of winning games!!

R Dunne, Portsmouth (10/02/2007 at 20:28)

Call yourself fans - get rid of Pearce NOW - you know it makes sense!!

Sam Haggar, Lowestoft (10/02/2007 at 20:28)

Not good in the first half played better in the 2nd should of had a penalty Isaksson made some good saves good goal by Corrardi forget about Europe now try and avoid relgation now.

James, Mossley (10/02/2007 at 20:29)

I think that MUST be Pearces last game in charge.. how many games does this guy have to lose before he is sacked!!

Ricky, Crewe (10/02/2007 at 20:31)

Time to go Pearce - you are taking the club down... Come on MEN poll NOW - Should Pearce go??

Steve, Stalybridge (10/02/2007 at 20:34)

Pearce takes the club towards relegation and the board sit and applaud - do we not want to stay in the Premiership, do we not want the Sky money??? If so call a board meeting on Monday and SACK PEARCE!!

Dave, Dukinfield (10/02/2007 at 20:37)

Well another Â£8 wasted.... What a joke of a performance - it took Barton to take Mendes out to give us a chance. The first half performance was a joke - Pearce MUST go now!!

Had enough, Denton (10/02/2007 at 20:42)

How many games must we lose before the board can see we are going down - that was an easy away game compared to what we have got to come.... We are heading down - Pearce must go NOW!! I can see the scenario he gets a result at Preston and we continue in the cup but we get relegated... Get him out NOW!! Clueless and promoted way beyond his ability

Rob, Market Harborough (10/02/2007 at 20:45)

Where on earth are we going to get the points to stay up?

My only hope is that this league - outside the top few teams - is so bad we all keep beating each other and survive due to points cushion above the bottom three.

The standard of football is frightful. It's like Fourth Division stuff twenty years ago but faster so there is even less skill.

blue2th, Manchester (10/02/2007 at 20:47)

Dire. No direction, no hope.Corradi is still useless. Barton is a thug, no better than Thatcher. Vassell is clueless. FOUR HUNDRED And SIXTY QUID SAVED next season... enjoy it mugs, 'cos it won't get any better..

GJ, N Yks (10/02/2007 at 20:48)

3 at the back failed again, so did SP's continuing tactic of a low tempo opening. Popmey were all over us 1st half. OK things were a lot better after the break but I wonder what all the 'Issakson for Weaver' posters thought of him when Kanu's winner rolled gently past into our net.

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