Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
2009-10-17 Portsmouth – Tottenham 1-2
Tottenham manager Redknapp made a triumphant return to his former club but saw Jermain Defoe sent off for a stamp in the Barclays Premier League victory against Portsmouth.
After leaving Pompey nearly a year ago, Redknapp eventually took Defoe, Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar with him - and almost inevitably Defoe got on the scoresheet after Ledley King had opened the scoring.
The England striker getting sent off, however, was not in the script and set up a thrilling finale after Kevin-Prince Boateng had pulled a goal back - with Michael Brown following Defoe in injury time for a second booking.
2009-10-17 Everton – Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1
Kevin Doyle looked to have pinched victory for the visitors 14 minutes from time but the home side grabbed an equaliser.
Stefan Maierhofer was sent off in the closing minutes for Wolves.
2009-10-17 Arsenal – Birmingham City 3-1
Arsenal continued their momentum with a 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium.
Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby had fired the Gunners into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes.
However, Lee Bowyer capitalised on a mistake by young keeper Vito Mannone - preferred to fit-again Manuel Almunia - to pull a goal back before half-time.
After soaking up plenty of pressure during the second half from the battling Blues, Andrey Arshavin wrapped up the points late on as Arsene Wenger's side made it seven successive victories in all competitions this season.
New Birmingham owner Carson Yeung - who has promised manager Alex McLeish a transfer kitty of up to £40m to spend in the January transfer window - was in the stands.
However, the challenge ahead to make his club in the same league as the Gunners was clear inside the opening few moments as the hosts immediately went on the offensive.
Emmanuel Eboue combined with Theo Walcott down the right to swing over a dangerous cross towards Robin van Persie.
On five minutes, the Dutchman knocked down a high ball into the path of Tomas Rosicky at the edge of the penalty area.
However, the Czech midfielder scuffed his first-time shot into the ground.
Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell left Walcott - making his first start of the season following a back problem - in a heap following a strong sliding challenge.
The Arsenal forward, though, bent his knee back when falling, and had to go off for extended treatment.
As play continued, the home side should have taken the lead when Diaby's left-wing cross was knocked back by van Persie at the far post, but once again Rosicky got his timing all wrong and failed to make a decent contact.
Walcott, hoping to be part of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad, soon came on again - immediately picking up the ball on the right, expertly side-stepping Ridgewell before his cross was tipped over by Joe Hart.
The opening goal finally came on 16 minutes.
Alex Song collected possession 25 yards out, and slipped a lovely low pass through the left side of the penalty area.
Van Persie took the ball on his right, then switched back inside past Stephen Carr before drilling it into the far corner.
Before Birmingham could recover, it was 2-0.
Eboue put Rosicky clear down the right channel, and his cut-back from the near post went all the way through to Diaby - who smashed a first-time effort into the roof of the net.
Arsenal were now in cruise control, but to their credit, Birmingham maintained some tempo.
Song bundled over James McFadden to concede a free-kick in a decent position for the visitors, some 25 yards out.
Larsson, who left Arsenal in January 2007, struck his effort well as it beat the wall, but Mannone got down quickly to make the save.
Walcott eventually had to go off, replaced by Arshavin on 33 minutes.
Arsenal were made to pay for a lapse in concentration as Birmingham pulled a goal back after 38 minutes.
Barry Ferguson sent a deep cross into the penalty area, which Diaby flicked back up in the air.
Mannone, under pressure from Larsson, came to collect, but dropped the ball - which Bowyer smashed into the net.
Arsenal quickly looked to restore their two-goal cushion, and Hart saved well down at the right-hand post to deny Arshavin.
Birmingham, clearly boosted by their goal, had an early chance at the start of the second half when the ball flashed across the Arsenal six-yard box.
At the other end, Arshavin stabbed a close-range effort wide after Diaby's low centre.
Larsson was, at full stretch, penalised for what referee Lee Probert deemed a somewhat harsh backpass, giving Arsenal an indirect free-kick eight yards out.
Fabregas rolled the ball to Arshavin, who stopped it for van Persie, but the Dutchman's fierce effort skimmed off the top of the crossbar.
As the hour passed, Arsenal maintained the pressure, but despite all of their decent approach play, failed to find a telling pass.
It could have proved costly as Mannone made a brave take as Ridgewell's pass went through the Arsenal six-yard box, which would only have needed a touch for the visitors to equalise.
Arshavin, however, settled matters with five minutes left when he slotted home from just inside the penalty area after a quick counter attack.
2009-10-17 Manchester United – Bolton Wanderers 2-1
Manchester United received more last-gasp salvation at Old Trafford - this time from Edwin van der Sar as they scrambled back to the Barclays Premier League summit.
Late goals against Manchester City and Sunderland have kept United afloat at Old Trafford this season. This time the drama was all at the other end.
Two goals up and cruising against Bolton Wanderers thanks to an early Zat Knight own goal and Antonio Valencia's first since a £17m summer move from Wigan Athletic, United looked destined to ease home.
Instead, the whole match changed following a series of superb saves from Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Matt Taylor pulled one back 15 minutes from time. And with almost the final touch, Gary Cahill went agonisingly close to snatching a point with a point-blank header which the returning veteran Van der Sar somehow managed to keep out.
United could have been ahead before Patrice Evra charged forward on the overlap and drove a cross to Michael Owen at the near-post.
With Wayne Rooney missing due to a groin injury, Owen could have done with getting his own name on the scoresheet.
Instead, his off-target header fell to Knight, who misjudged an intended clearance and instead trundled the ball into his own net.
More should have soon followed. Jonny Evans gave Jussi Jaaskelainen the opportunity to make a fine block when really his far-post header should have been guided in from a Ryan Giggs cross that came at the end of some excellent approach play.
Dimitar Berbatov, celebrating the birth of his first child - Dea - on Thursday, blazed a decent opportunity wide, while Jaaskelainen stood tall in the face of Valencia's long-range effort.
It meant Ferguson's side had to wait until the 33rd minute to double their lead, before which Kevin Davies had wasted a golden chance to equalise.
Valencia has made a promising start in his new surroundings, with the exception of his efforts in front of goal.
The Ecuador star has rarely given the impression of being prolific and there have been many better chances than the one he belted past Jaaskelainen.
However, after collecting Michael Owen's square ball, he raced forward before prodding a pass to Gary Neville, whose return was delivered with precision, inviting what followed.
Had Jaaskelainen not managed to beat away an acrobatic Berbatov volley, the Bulgarian would have had a fitting way to celebrate such a momentous week in his life.
The Finn also denied Valencia, whose rasping angled drive was heading for the far corner and the worth of Jaaskelainen's immense contribution was proved 15 minutes from time when Bolton dragged themselves back into the contest.
United failed to heed the warning offered by a disallowed Ivan Klasnic effort, and when Kevin Davies launched a far post cross towards Taylor, the midfielder steered his header into the left corner.
The move highlighted Evra's weakness in the air, which Bolton desperately tried to exploit.
Ivan Klasnic, whose introduction had thrown United's defence into a panic, fired narrowly wide, then Knight was off target before Cahill was presented with his glorious chance.
Ferguson had already placed his trust in Van der Sar to make his first appearance of the season after breaking his fingers in the summer, and the 38-year-old did not let him down.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
2009-10-04 Chelsea – Liverpool 2-0
Second half goals from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda gave Chelsea a deserved victory over Liverpool and put them two points clear at top of the Barclays Premier League table.
The France international struck first in the 60th minute when he finished off a sublime low cross from Didier Drogba as Chelsea defied their critics with a performance of grit and quality.
Substitute Malouda sealed the win in injury-time when he slid home another low cross from Drogba.
It was Liverpool who had the best of the early exchanges and the match sparked into life in the 12th minute when Fernando Torres was fortunate not to receive a yellow card for a late challenge on Chelsea captain John Terry.
The Spaniard's right foot was clearly too high and raked the shins of the England defender.
However, referee Martin Atkinson opted to give the Liverpool striker a lengthy lecture, much to the annoyance of the home fans.
Liverpool continued to dominate but a shot from Albert Riera was high and wide of the target in the 19th minute.
Michael Essien appeared to be late and high with a challenge on Javier Mascherano but referee Atkinson was perfectly positioned to see the incident and ignored Chelsea appeals. The Liverpool player soon rose to his feet without any damage to his right leg.
Both sides were full of attacking desire but neither goalkeeper had been tested at the midway stage of the opening half.
Liverpool's Jose Reina finally collected a header from Drogba just beneath the crossbar in the 24th minute but Chelsea's threat was somewhat impotent.
In the 27th minute Reina was called into action again when Essien's cross was met by Anelka.
The France international was unmarked but despite the luxury of a free header, he could not find a way past the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Liverpool were handed a chance to open the scoring in the 29th minute when Branislav Ivanovic was adjudged to have brought down Torres.
The free-kick was some 25 yards out but Gerrard's effort sailed over the crossbar to the delight of the home fans.
Four minutes later Chelsea squandered a chance of their own after Drogba had been brought down by Jamie Carragher near the corner flag.
Deco's free-kick into the penalty area was well placed but Michael Ballack's header was off target from six yards.
Chelsea were now enjoying their best spell of the match and when Lampard's 38th-minute corner fell to Essien at the far post, the Ghanaian international forced Reina to make a save at the second attempt.
Liverpool responded with Dirk Kuyt crossing for Torres to head straight at Hilario from six yards.
Deco was booked for a foul on Kuyt in the 44th minute and Riera forced Hilario into a late save with a 40-yard low drive.
In the 57th minute Liverpool won a free-kick when Riera was blocked by Ballack - but Gerrard's delivery was met by a confident punch from Hilario and Chelsea survived a difficult moment.
The Blues broke the deadlock on the hour after Mascherano lost possession to Lampard in the Chelsea half.
Essien and Deco fed the ball wide to Drogba on the left - and his centre was perfect for Anelka to convert his fifth goal of the season.
In the 63rd minute, Drogba met Lampard's free-kick but his header was well held by Reina - and four minutes later the visitors replaced Riera with Yossi Benayoun.
In the 77th minute Chelsea won a free-kick in a dangerous area when Lampard was brought down by Gerrard.
The challenge earned Gerrard a yellow card and Chelsea almost went two goals in front but Drogba was just wide of the right-hand post with his free-kick.
Chelsea's goal was now under siege and Torres wasted a glorious chance to level the scores when he shot wide in the 80th minute.
Substitute Malouda then settled the outcome when he slid the ball home from close range in injury-time.
2009-10-04 Everton – Stoke City 1-1
Everton's run of five successive victories came to end when a defiant Stoke City stole a point from a physical battle at Goodison Park.
The Toffees may have been feeling the effects of their long haul to Belarus on Thursday, but they were nowhere near their usual combative self.
Stoke took the lead five minutes after the break when Robert Huth headed home his first goal for his new club - but stand-in skipper Leon Osman lashed home a fine equaliser five minutes later.
Stoke were intent on attack, fielding former Everton striker Beattie with Fuller while Matthew Etherington took on Hibbert at every opportunity.
The winger's first cross saw Beattie outjump Leighton Baines before planting a firm header into Tim Howard's arms.
The long ball into the box was the main weapon of both sides, and Everton's response was a couple of efforts blocked from Saha and Tim Cahill, before the Australian should have netted after 15 minutes.
Marouane Fellaini swung in a cross from the left, and Cahill ducked low for a header just six yards out, but Thomas Sorensen managed to clutch the effort at the second attempt.
Howard, faced with a similar downward header a minute later at the other end from Fuller, also struggled to hold the effort cleanly.
Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov came more into the match on the left as the half wore on, and when he cut inside to fire in a rising shot, the ball crashed into Ryan Shawcross' arm.
Referee Andre Marriner turned down the penalty appeals, the Stoke central defender having not moved his arms from his side.
Fuller was booked for a 35th-minute tackle on Heitinga, and Rory Delap was lucky not to follow his colleague into the book when he tripped Baines in full flow.
Osman then produced a fine snapshot on the edge of the box which Sorensen saw late but did well to turn over the bar.
Diao was next to be booked in an increasingly niggly match, for a foul on Baines. Heitinga lifted the resulting free-kick wide.
Stoke started the second period even more belligerently than the first, hounding Everton in possession.
And the Potteries side were ahead when Etherington's right-wing corner curled into the box and defender
Huth soared above Cahill to power home his first goal since his £6m summer move from Middlesbrough.
The lead lasted five minutes. Heitinga came forward from the back and exchanged passes with Osman, who struck a fierce drive from the edge of the box which crashed into the net off the underside of the bar.
Bilyaletdinov saw a shot saved by Sorensen, while Fuller failed to trouble Howard with a low drive at the other end.
With 15 minutes left Everton sent on strikers Jo and Yakubu for midfielders Osman and Bilyaletdinov, with Hibbert taking the captain's armband. Stoke responded by replacing Diao with Whelan.
It was a bold ploy by Everton, but one which could see them caught on the break. But even after that change, they did not make a serious opportunity.
Fellaini and Shawcross were booked with four minutes left for a clash in the centre circle, before Stoke sent on Kitson for Fuller during injury-time.
The visitors were powering forward at the end looking for a winner - but neither side deserved to win a scrappy match.
2009-10-04 Arsenal – Blackburn Rovers 6-2
Manchester United delved into their much-used box of late comebacks to rescue a point against Sunderland.
Two weeks after Michael Owen's last-gasp winner against Manchester City, Anton Ferdinand could not get out of the way of an off-target effort from Patrice Evra to grab United a point and deprive the Black Cats of their first Old Trafford win since 1968.
Sunderland were the ones who adapted to the blustery conditions quicker. Indeed, it could have been argued United did not adapt at all.
Rare are the times an opposition goalkeeper comes to this ground and gets through an entire half without having to make a save. But this was one.
Craig Gordon did make one meaningful intervention, diving low to cut out John O'Shea's curling cross. Apart from that, the Scotland keeper was redundant.
Anton Ferdinand, the one member of his family to start after brother Rio was consigned to the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson, produced an effective central defensive performance alongside the equally impressive Michael Turner.
Yet even they must have been surprised by how little they had to do.
With teenager Danny Welbeck handed only his second Barclays Premier League start, a tentative approach from one flank was to be expected. Maybe the same could also be said of Nani given his dismal display at Stoke seven days previously.
The Portugal international was no better on Saturday, and this time Ryan Giggs was not on the bench to bail him out.
And, in Darren Bent, Sunderland boasted a man at the top of his game.
When he made the quick dash down from Bolton Wanderers, England coach Fabio Capello might not have been expecting to spend half-time thinking about whether Bent should be in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.
Yet, had it not been for his decision to hand over penalty duties to Kenwyne Jones at Sunderland last week, he would now be top of the scoring charts.
And what a fine effort his seventh of the season was as Sunderland took the lead in only the seventh minute.
He got far enough away from O'Shea during a lengthy Black Cats build-up to have room to turn away from the Irishman when Lee Cattermole played the final pass.
The finish was inch perfect, giving Ben Foster no chance.
Replacing Paul Scholes at the break was a bold statement by Ferguson, which triggered an instant response.
Nani was a suddenly a man inspired, twice causing confusion with direct runs, the second of which demanded a brave low save of Gordon to deny Wayne Rooney.
The clearance came straight back out to O'Shea, whose curling 51st-minute cross was perfectly met by Dimitar Berbatov's overhead kick, which nestled in the bottom corner.
As they say when the TV picture goes down, normal service was expected to resume shortly. Instead, United conceded again.
Foster, and no doubt Ferguson, who had already been incensed by a couple of Alan Wiley's decisions, will doubtless feel Jones fouled the United keeper as he rose to meet Andy Reid's cross just before the hour mark.
But Foster should have been stronger in the challenge. Instead, he was shoved aside to allow Jones to head into an empty net.
Thrilling late comebacks from such positions are the stuff of Manchester United legend.
Probably only this knowledge kept the hosts going as, even after Kieran Richardson's needless dismissal, it never actually looked like happening.
Evra refused to accept second best, though, leaving Ferdinand to beat the ground in frustration.
2009-10-03 Manchester United – Sunderland 2-2
Manchester United delved into their much-used box of late comebacks to rescue a point against Sunderland.
Two weeks after Michael Owen's last-gasp winner against Manchester City, Anton Ferdinand could not get out of the way of an off-target effort from Patrice Evra to grab United a point and deprive the Black Cats of their first Old Trafford win since 1968.
Sunderland were the ones who adapted to the blustery conditions quicker. Indeed, it could have been argued United did not adapt at all.
Rare are the times an opposition goalkeeper comes to this ground and gets through an entire half without having to make a save. But this was one.
Craig Gordon did make one meaningful intervention, diving low to cut out John O'Shea's curling cross. Apart from that, the Scotland keeper was redundant.
Anton Ferdinand, the one member of his family to start after brother Rio was consigned to the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson, produced an effective central defensive performance alongside the equally impressive Michael Turner.
Yet even they must have been surprised by how little they had to do.
With teenager Danny Welbeck handed only his second Barclays Premier League start, a tentative approach from one flank was to be expected. Maybe the same could also be said of Nani given his dismal display at Stoke seven days previously.
The Portugal international was no better on Saturday, and this time Ryan Giggs was not on the bench to bail him out.
And, in Darren Bent, Sunderland boasted a man at the top of his game.
When he made the quick dash down from Bolton Wanderers, England coach Fabio Capello might not have been expecting to spend half-time thinking about whether Bent should be in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.
Yet, had it not been for his decision to hand over penalty duties to Kenwyne Jones at Sunderland last week, he would now be top of the scoring charts.
And what a fine effort his seventh of the season was as Sunderland took the lead in only the seventh minute.
He got far enough away from O'Shea during a lengthy Black Cats build-up to have room to turn away from the Irishman when Lee Cattermole played the final pass.
The finish was inch perfect, giving Ben Foster no chance.
Replacing Paul Scholes at the break was a bold statement by Ferguson, which triggered an instant response.
Nani was a suddenly a man inspired, twice causing confusion with direct runs, the second of which demanded a brave low save of Gordon to deny Wayne Rooney.
The clearance came straight back out to O'Shea, whose curling 51st-minute cross was perfectly met by Dimitar Berbatov's overhead kick, which nestled in the bottom corner.
As they say when the TV picture goes down, normal service was expected to resume shortly. Instead, United conceded again.
Foster, and no doubt Ferguson, who had already been incensed by a couple of Alan Wiley's decisions, will doubtless feel Jones fouled the United keeper as he rose to meet Andy Reid's cross just before the hour mark.
But Foster should have been stronger in the challenge. Instead, he was shoved aside to allow Jones to head into an empty net.
Thrilling late comebacks from such positions are the stuff of Manchester United legend.
Probably only this knowledge kept the hosts going as, even after Kieran Richardson's needless dismissal, it never actually looked like happening.
Evra refused to accept second best, though, leaving Ferdinand to beat the ground in frustration.
2009-10-03 Bolton Wanderers – Tottenham 2-2
Tottenham Hotspur's long-standing jinx at the Reebok Stadium continues but at least manager Harry Redknapp saw his side get some reward for a battling display.
Twice behind in an open match, they secured a point thanks to a goal from Vedran Corluka in the 73rd minute.
Tottenham went into the match without a win in nine attempts at the ground and then got off to a terrible start.
Ricardo Gardner opened the scoring in the second minute and that could have been the cue for another bad day in Bolton.
Instead Tottenham regrouped and equalised 30 minutes later through Niko Kranjcar. Even though Kevin Davies equalised they refused to lie down.
Bolton got off to a flying start when the visitors failed to deal with a long throw from Jlloyd Samuel.
Lee Chung-Yong was unmarked at the back post and helped the ball on. Ricardo Gardner then got a vital touch to send his effort beyond Carlo Cudicini.
Bolton were playing some good football and Gardner skipped away in the 13th minute before releasing Tamir Cohen with a neat through-ball.
The Israel midfielder got a good touch inside the area but his effort was diverted to safety - much to Tottenham's relief.
Cohen was then booked in the 31st minute for a challenge on Wilson Palacios which left the Spurs player writhing on the floor.
Palacios made a quick recovery, however, and had a hand in their equaliser. He delivered the ball to Peter Crouch, who nodded it on and Kranjcar sent a stunning shot into the net.
Bolton responded and Zat Knight met Matt Taylor's free-kick in the 38th minute but was off-balance and headed wide.
Then Cohen clipped the ball wide after good link-up play involving Kevin Davies and Taylor.
Tottenham were left badly exposed on the stroke of half-time when Taylor sprung the offside trap.
He homed in on goal but Cudicini was alert to the danger and was happy to concede a corner.
Bolton carved out a good chance after 50 minutes when Davies got away from Tom Huddlestone down the right.
The tenacious striker played the ball into the path of Lee, who was lurking in the penalty area. However the Korean opted to try and release Taylor instead of shooting and his pass was easily cut out.
Tottenham should have taken the lead five minutes later following a blistering run from Aaron Lennon.
The England winger fired in a shot that Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to beat away but only to Palacios six yards out.
Palacios was well placed in front of goal but only succeeded in sending his effort closer to the corner flag.
Jermain Defoe, suffering from two dislocated fingers, was then called up in the 67th minute for Robbie Keane, who had been ineffective.
Bolton then took the lead when Cohen chipped the ball to the back post and Davies headed in his third goal of the campaign.
Tottenham, however, almost drew level in the 72nd minute after Jaaskelainen spilled a shot from Defoe. The ball landed kindly at the feet of Crouch but his effort hit the bar.
A minute later the visitors drew level for the second time in the match. Corluka was left unmarked as Kranjcar delivered a corner and headed high into the net.
Tottenham finished strongly. Lennon then surged into the area after linking up with Kranjcar only to see his effort blocked by Sam Ricketts.
The Bolton full-back again carried out his defensive duties in the 85th minute to get in a timely challenge on Crouch.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Portsmouth 1
Hassan Yebda lifted some of the gloom surrounding Portsmouth as his first half goal earned them their first Barclays Premier League win of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The on-loan Benfica player struck after 20 minutes to end a run of seven successive league defeats for Paul Hart's side.
They went into the match on the back of the worst top-flight sequence of results at the start of a campaign since Manchester United in 1930.
But Pompey deserved their first success of the campaign and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy's claim his side were facing "their most dangerous game of the season" proved well founded.
Yebda, a French-born Algerian international, impressed in midfield while Tommy Smith was always a handful for the Wolves defence and worked tirelessly.
Wolves struggled to find any rhythm despite the promptings of Matt Jarvis in the centre of the park.
Wolves began brightly and a long throw from Greg Halford was met by Christophe Berra whose flicked header flew straight at Pompey keeper David James.
But Portsmouth were not afraid to knock the ball around despite their disastrous start to the campaign.
Boateng had their first worthwhile effort on goal, spinning to fire in a shot from a narrow angle which Wolves keeper Hennessey turned around the post.
Jarvis brought the home fans to life with a powerful 50-yard run and he was allowed to surge into the box as the Pompey players backed off.
But he would have been disappointed with his eventual low shot which James dealt with comfortably.
At the other end Aruna Dindane was only just too high with a 25 yard shot on the turn and Tommy Smith had a low shot cleared off the line by Jarvis.
But after 20 minutes Portsmouth took the lead through Yebda.
Boateng was the creator with a right-wing cross and Yebda was perfectly positioned to head past Hennessey into the corner of the net.
Wolves were stunned by this reversal and it needed a fine save from Hennessey to prevent Portsmouth from doubling their lead.
Smith played the ball into the path of Aruna Dindane and his first time effort was turned aside by Hennessey at full stretch away to his right.
The rebound broke to Smith who cut back inside to make a better angle but drilled his shot across the face of goal.
Wolves began to get a foothold back in the match and a well worked free-kick move ended with Foley crossing to Doyle whose shot was deflected just wide.
Wolves fans were becoming frustrated but James produced a fine reflex save to deny Keogh at point blank range in first half injury-time and then Doyle's follow-up shot was blocked.
Wolves manager McCarthy responded to his side's first-half performance by bringing on last season's top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Michael Kightly in place of Keogh and Foley.
Portsmouth had the first chance of the second period when Dindane's header from Smith's cross was saved by Hennessey.
Wolves looked more purposeful and Jarvis had a shot deflected wide after racing onto a pass from Doyle. From Jarvis' resulting corner, Halford got up well but could only direct his header wide of the far post.
Portsmouth still looked dangerous on the break and Dindane beat the offside trap but, instead of shooting himself, he tried to find Michael Brown and the move broke down.
Pompey were still looking relatively untroubled but Wolves looked to be denied a clear-cut penalty after 63 minutes.
Television replays indicated that Pompey defender Marc Wilson had handled a right-wing cross from Kightly.
Culled from www.premierleague.com