Premier League - Spot-on Defoe leaves it late

Eurosport - Sat, 08 Nov 19:59:00 2008

Jermain Defoe netted an injury-time penalty to cap a remarkable comeback as Portsmouth beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Sunderland-Portsmouth Nadir Belhadj Jermain Defoe - 0

Pompey looked in danger of recording a third straight defeat after having fallen behind to Djibril Cisse's early strike in a one-sided first half which the hosts dominated.

But the second half was a different story as an unrecognisable Portsmouth side came out revitalised, Nadir Belhadj equalising six minutes after the restart and Defoe converting from the spot in time added on to hand Tony Adams his first win since taking over as manager.

The result saw Pompey move into eighth, while Sunderland slipped to 17th, a point above the relegation places.

Sunderland roared out of the blocks and the deadlock lasted just four minutes, Andy Reid playing a clever ball through for Cisse to run on to. Holding off the muscular challenge of Sol Campbell, the Frenchman burst forward to coolly slot past David James in the Pompey net.

It was the perfect start for Roy Keane's side, but it would have been a great deal better had the hosts not squandered several chances to extend that early advantage soon after.

On the quarter-hour mark, Kieron Richardson struck the base of an upright with a well-hit drive from 25 yards out before Cisse forced James into an acrobatic save with a firm header just minutes later. A yard either side of the England keeper and he would have struggled to keep it out.

The former Liverpool striker was clearly in the mood and on 28 minutes he was presented with a golden opportunity to register his second of the day and open up a two-goal lead.

Reid was again the architect, playing another neat ball through, but this time James foiled him with a smart save that diverted the ball behind for a corner.

The hosts were to rue those missed chances as Pompey came out for the second half re-invigorated.

Looking a far better side than the one that was over-run before the break, Pompey wasted no time in levelling the scores, Belhadj firing a swerving strike that Marton Fulop failed to pick on 51 minutes.

Defoe, who had barely touched the ball in the first half, suddenly sparked into life, showing what he is capable of with a brilliant run and shot wide of the mark moments after the equaliser had gone in.

And while Pompey grew in confidence, Sunderland seemed to lose theirs as the hosts started to misplace passes and the crowd began to grow restless.

Another brilliant run from Defoe threatened to unlock the Black Cats' defence as time ran out but the England striker took one too many touches in the box allowing Fulop to come off his line and claim the ball at his feet.

Earlier, Sunderland had managed to get the ball in the back of the net, but Cisse's 62nd minute header was ruled out for offside. It was to be their final chance of note.

And when El Hadji Diouf - a second half substitute - clumsily brought down Glen Johnson in the corner of the penalty box, Sunderland's miserable second half showing was complete.

Defoe stepped up and managed to keep his cool to send Pompey's travelling fans back on the long journey home with something to celebrate.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

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  1. Ah man blake b - so funny!
    These moderators are a bunch of jokers aren't they?
    Shame, i bet you would've had something really special to say; something really enlightening.
    As for you, altai211, 'leg end' - i like it!
    But fear not, i hate to say it but, sunderland will not be relegated - the squad is big, if not great, and that is what will save you.

    From cameron w, on Mon 10 Nov 9:42PM

  2. belhadj.........algerian boy.

    From espantosso, on Mon 10 Nov 5:55PM

  3. I DO HOPE MARWELL HAS SEEN THE CHALLENGE FROM THAT SPITTING IMAGE DIOUF.THANKS FOR THE THREE POINTS,WHO SAYS THERES NO JUSTICE IN FOOTBALL.

    From tonyoldgitrogers, on Sun 9 Nov 4:03PM

  4. I am now running out of patience with Roy Keane with his forever team changes and frustrating tactics. We now, according to keane, have a much stronger squad than last season, but it is not showing that in results or league position, to me it is going to be another relegation fight. Unless he starts to put together a settled side we are going to be no better than last season - bottom three or four.
    I don't know about Keane being a legend, more like a leg end. The chairman has stated they are working on crowd trouble, I think he wants to work on Keane before he has no crowd to work on.

    From John, on Sun 9 Nov 3:44PM

  5. SO SAD!!!!

    From The Blake, on Sun 9 Nov 3:35PM

  6. an enswer in E-MAIL PLEASE!! or i will report YOU!!!!

    From The Blake, on Sun 9 Nov 3:31PM

  7. i am typnig in football related comment not just @#$% like most u let through!!!! BAD FORM MAN!!!!!!!

    From The Blake, on Sun 9 Nov 3:30PM

  8. Mr moderater!!!! what was invaled about that comment?????

    From The Blake, on Sun 9 Nov 3:29PM

  9. blake b
    You have you clown!
    The legend has wasted, oops i meant spent, an absolute fortune, or haven't you noticed!
    Ha, ha, ha - AND Blackburn are going to knock you out of the League Cup.
    Keano is a legend.

    From cameron w, on Sun 9 Nov 10:34AM

  10. syth137,
    And your point being?

    From sappercommando25, on Sat 8 Nov 11:47PM

  11. The next team up the road to us is Gateshead!! Is that where your realy from like 90% of your toon army??? When we av spent as much as you lot then you can av a go!!!!!
    FTM!!!!!!!!

    From The Blake, on Sat 8 Nov 10:47PM

  12. well done tony .blue arm on tour

    From speightstephen, on Sat 8 Nov 9:41PM

  13. Chopra knows he is better of out of away form the stadium of @#$%

    From Thomas C, on Sat 8 Nov 7:32PM

  14. what does a magpie do after they win he puts his playstation down

    From david, on Sat 8 Nov 7:10PM

  15. big boys up the road hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha your @#$%

    From david, on Sat 8 Nov 7:08PM

  16. 2-1 Well done to Pompey & Tony Adams!!
    Ps as am writing this its SOU 0 BC 1

    From tc, on Sat 8 Nov 6:52PM

  17. Ah man i'm just loving this, and in the last minute too - poetic justice that is!!!
    Stupid deluded mackems; you really do think you're a decent side!
    Every week i see your fans' predictions in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle; always bigging up your team of over-rated never-weres. You have a Championship side with a Championship manager and a fair-weather support that beggars belief.
    I told you sad lot on here only 2 weeks ago not to get carried away - now know your place you soon-to-be-relegated losers! Blunderland . . . . forever in the shadow of the Big Boys up the road. Keano is a legend!!!!!!!!

    From cameron w, on Sat 8 Nov 5:58PM

  18. what gool by belhadj adios sunderland

    From hoho, on Sat 8 Nov 5:05PM

  19. vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

    From syth137, on Sat 8 Nov 5:03PM

  20. 1-2 goodbye Sunderland, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

    Well Done PORTSMOUTH ;-)

    From Bobby Robson A Legend, on Sat 8 Nov 4:55PM
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