Honours even at Fratton
Park
It finished all square at Fratton Park on Sunday as Portsmouth just
missed out on a place in Europe on the final day of the
season.
Despite a lack of goals both Pompey and Arsenal created plenty of
chances and as goalless draws go this one was as fast-paced and
eventful as they come.
Portsmouth had a good chance to go in front inside the first five
minutes when Niko Kranjcars free-kick found the feet of Sean Davis
who hit the ball just wide of the left post.
Minutes later Arsenal were attacking, Julio Baptista picked up on a
ball in by Cesc Fabregas but his shot on target was cleared on the
line by Djimi Traore.
With most of the possession in midfield leading up to the half hour
mark the pace seemed to steady until Baptista again came close to
putting the Gunners in front a long ball in from Fabregas found
the head of the Brazilian but the ball went just wide of the left
post.
And almost immediately after Nwankwo Kanu at the other end sent the
ball rocketing towards the net from 25 yards out but his effort was
pushed over the bar by Mark Poom.
Five minutes from half-time Arsenal were awarded a penalty after
Linvoy Primus made a reckless challenge on Emmanuel Eboue in the
area. Baptista, who had been a constant threat for most of the
game, stepped up for the spot kick but James pulled off a
tremendous save to leave it goalless at half-time.
Arsenal started the second half well with an early chance to take
the lead when Alexander Hleb's running down the left came
one-on-one with the keeper but hit the ball just wide of the
left-hand post.
Probably the best chance of the game though came for Portsmouth and
Tresor Lomana Lua Lua who was clear on goal but was left looking to
the sky in disbelief after he hit the ball wide on 50 minutes
before being flagged offside.
Controversy then reared its head as Portsmouth finally found the
back of the net just before the 70-minute marker but the goal was
disallowed. Poom made a double save clearing shots from Lua Lua and
Richard Hughes before Kranjcar finally netted only for the linesman
to make a late call for offside.
Shots on goal were few and far between for the final 20 minutes
with the closest in Arsenals favour as Fabregas took an
adventurous long range shot but hit it wide of the post to leave it
goalless at full-time.
