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Sunderland face a nervy finale to the Premier League season after Portsmouth came from behind to beat the Black Cats 3-1 at Fratton Park.

Kenwyne Jones put Ricky Sbragia's relegation-threatened side into the lead on 59 minutes, only for John Utaka to level just 120 seconds later.

Pompey took the lead seven minutes later when Phil Bardsley slid the ball into his own net - under pressure from Utaka - following a terrible error of judgement by Anton Ferdinand.

Substitute Armand Traore then sealed all three points for Pompey in the 88th minute to set up a final-day showdown that could yet see Sunderland relegated.

Victory on the south coast would have secured Sunderland's top flight status for another year but instead the result means they will head into the final day a mere point ahead of Hull and two clear of Newcastle. Safety is far from assured, especially considering their opponents at the Stadium of Light - Chelsea.

Defeat at Aston Villa would relegate Newcastle although they would survive if they draw and Hull lose at home to champions Manchester United who are set to field a weakened side as they prepare for next week's Champions League final.

West Brom are definitely down while Middlesbrough, who have 32 points, need to beat West Ham United comfortably and hope that Hull and Newcastle both lose.

Given the stakes at Fratton Park, the opening period understandably proved to be a tight affair, although both sides did manage to create chances that left the woodwork reverberating at each end.

Peter Crouch lead the way for Pompey, the England striker heading Glen Johnson's cross goalwards after just four minutes of play, only to see his effort bounce back off the upright and scrambled away to safety.

And just before half-time, Crouch's opposite number Jones jumped in between Sylvain Distin and Sol Campbell to direct a header against the post; the ball bounced back across the face of goal but, crucially, not over the line.

Pompey boss Paul Hart made a double substitution at the break, bringing on Traore and Younes Kaboul for Richard Hughes and Kanu, and the changes immediately brought dividends.

Pompey burst out of the blocks, laying siege to the Sunderland goal as the visitors struggled to get out of their own half.

So it came as a surprise when Callum Davenport broke to the other end on 59 minutes to deliver an inch-perfect cross for Jones to stab home at the far post, completely against the run of play.

Pompey were not to be deterred and it took them a mere minute-and-a-half to draw level, Utaka taking full advantage of a fortuitous rebound off Teemu Tainio to charge towards goal and finish low past Marton Fulop.

Utake whipped off his shirt and celebrated - for which he was booked - unaware that referee Mike Riley had blown his whistle moments before the Nigerian pulled the trigger. Exactly for what remained a mystery, but the goal stood.

Pompey went ahead on 68 minutes when Ferdinand misjudged a long punt downfield, allowing the ball slip under his foot and Utaka to race in on goal and round Fulop. Bardsley's attempted saving tackle merely succeeded in diverting the ball into his own net.

Credit to Sunderland - they came back looking for an equaliser. And they could have found one had stand-in keeper Asmir Begovic - making his debut in the absence of injured David James - not been alert to several situations, most notably to save from Grant Leadbitter, Djibril Cisse and Jones, twice.

But Pompey held firm and Traore make sure of the hosts' victory with a neat finish with just two minutes remaining, Utaka taking on, and beating, Ferdinand before laying off for the youngster to rifle into the far corner.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport