A workmanlike but forgettable performance against Premier League whipping boys Portsmouth means we're still hot on the trail of the sides above us. Today was always going to be a test after the disappointing League Cup exit midweek, and the visitors gave it a real go, strikes from the returning Emmanuel Adebayor and defensive rock Vince Kompany deciding what was a relatively close-fought affair.Captian Kolo Toure came back into the side at the expense of impressive youngster Dedryck Boyata, with Micah Richards being given the afternoon off as Pablo Zabaleta slotted into his natural right-back position. Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright-Phillips were also rested, with Martin Petrov again starting on the right, with Barry on the left of a four as we reverted back to 4-4-2.
Avram Grant's starting eleven was at odds with those predicted by most people. David James surprisingly played after being ruled highly doubtful with a calf strain. Hayden Mullins got the nod as part of a three-man central midfield, and Danny Webber, scorer in midweek against West Ham, ploughed a lonely furrow up front alone in place of top scorer Frederic Piquionne.
The first ten minutes were pretty much all Pompey. John Utaka's driving run at goal was only halted by a late Garrido challenge, and a Webber cross was palmed half away by Given but the Nigerian skied his finish. Before the ten-minute mark they also had a soft penalty shout, Garrido nudging Webber, and later Spurs loanee O'Hara tested Given with a fierce drive.
We never really managed to get into gear throughout the game, but did begin to slowly take control of what was a very poor game as the half wore on. Gareth Barry turned two players and slipped Stephen Ireland in, but his attempt was deflected wide. Petrov cut halfway across the pitch and smashed wide with his favoured left peg, and Ireland forced a stop from James after being found unmarked in the middle from Tevez' cross.
The best effort of the half, however, fell to Portsmouth. Full-back Vanden Borre, who constantly pressed us for the first hour, played a one-two with Utaka and his speculative effort deflected on to Shay Given's bar, the retreating Ireland clearing off the line. Full-back Zabaleta had to be replaced before the break, suffering what looked like a broken nose. Nedum Onuoha the man to take his spot.
As the interval loomed we managed to get ourselves a lead. Stevie Ireland found himself free in the centre circle and delivered a terrific throughball over the top to Adebayor who effortlessly controlled and smashed home from the edge of the area to leave James stranded. It was an excellent strike, and the big striker had timed his run off his marker to perfection.
The game was pretty much won in injury time, but not before we had our own soft penalty shout, Garrido being felled, Tevez then forcing another strop from James, once again sporting a shocking pink outfit. Vincent Kompany was the man to grab the second, smashing home an unstoppable header from an outswinging Petrov cross to double his tally for the club.
The second half was even more uneventful. Pompey were still making a fist of it, and O'Hara particularly had quite a good game. Utaka switched to the left and continued to be given too much space, but with no real firepower up front their chances were largely from distance, O'Hara calling on Given to make a couple of straight-forward stops, but no real cutting edge.
Vince Kompany had to be replaced just before the hour after hurting his groin. Boyata again didn't let anyone down, but losing Vince will be a blow, he's played very well since his return to the side and two further defensive injuries leave us light at the back, with Wayne & Joleon still a couple of weeks or more away from returning.
Danny Webber should have brought his side back into thing, falling over when Given could only parry a Basinias scorcher from thirty yards. A late Boyata interception spared Emmanuel Adebayor's blushes after a terrible back-pass, and sub Piquionne could only thigh the ball into Given's arms when free a couple of yards from goal late on. Carlos Tevez hit the post after a Bellamy cross, but the second period was very much a case of us going through the motions.
I thought today was probably our flattest home performance of the season, but so long as we get the job done you accept that occasionally we'll be below par. A better side would have certainly taken advantage of our frequent sloppy defending, and we didn't seem able to up gear for a game seen by most as relatively routine. However, these are the types of results that could make the difference come May, and we're all familiar with the 'sign of a good team' cliches. Today was about getting a win, so you'd have to say it was another case of job done.
Team:
Given, Zabaleta (Onuoha '38), Garrido, Toure, Kompany (Boyata '59), de Jong, Petrov (Bellamy '73), Ireland, Tevez, Adebayor, Barry
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