PORTSMOUTH v NEWCASTLE UNITED, 2-1 Sat 14 Apr
2007
Portsmouth maintained their drive for a UEFA Cup spot as Benjani
Mwaruwari and Matt Taylor struck to sink Newcastle United at
Fratton Park.
Benjani opened the scoring in a lively Barclays Premiership
encounter after just seven minutes before Taylor doubled the lead
with a stunning long-range strike after the break.
Emre pulled one back from the penalty spot as Newcastle pressed
hard in the second half, with Obafemi Martins hitting the bar, but
Pompey held on.
The hosts also hit the woodwork in the first half, with Kanu's shot
bouncing down precisely on the goal-line and away to safety.
Newcastle having scored just once in six games started well and
could have been two up in the first three minutes.
David James had to push over a shot from Martins and the home
defence went missing again from the resulting corner, only for the
unmarked Craig Moore to scuff his intended volley across
goal.
Sean Davis wasted a free-kick for Pompey, over-hitting his cross
from the left after Moore tripped Kanu on the edge of the
area.
But the home side took the lead in the seventh minute thanks to the
persistence of Benjani, who dug the ball out of his feet after
Taylor's pass found him in the area.
He held off Moore and Steven Taylor before turning to rifle a low
shot past Harper.
It was only his fifth goal this season, and his first since New
Year's Day, but the home crowd roared their appreciation of their
hard-working £4.4million record signing.
The setback seemed to spread panic through the Newcastle defence
and in the 16th minute Kanu latched onto a Lauren cross and sent a
fierce drive crashing against the underside of the bar.
Kanu had his arm in the air celebrating a goal but the ball landing
in a puff of chalk-dust and referee Chris Foy correctly played
on.
Gary ONeil also shot just wide as Newcastle struggled to keep pace
but the Magpies almost scrambled an equaliser in first-half injury
time as Lauren cleared Martins stooping header off the line.
Newcastle then started the second half with intent and went close
to equalising when Martins broke into the box and screwed a
left-foot shot wide from Emres through-ball.
Martins chipped the ball over Sol Campbell to create another
opportunity for Damien Duff but the former England centre-half
chased back to allow James to gather.
James was then caught out as Martins thumped a header against the
bar from a Milner cross but Pompey cleared and doubled their lead
with Taylors brilliant strike just before the hour.
James long kick was headed back only as far as Taylor 30 yards out
and he unleashed a fierce left-footed drive that bounced in the
area and rocketed past Harper.
Newcastle were not deflated and got themselves back into the game
when Emre struck from the penalty spot on 68 minutes.
Emre beat James to his left after Milner had brought the ball down
in the area and been tripped by Dejan Stefanovic.
The successful penalty meant James would have to wait longer to set
the Premier League record for most clean sheets but the former
Liverpool goalkeeper was alert to deny Martins again 10 minutes
from time.
Play quickly switched to the other end and Taylor was inches away
from settling the game with a low shot across goal.
Newcastle finished on the attack but time ran out to leave Glenn
Roeders side frustrated again.