Life in the Prem….

By: James | October 17th, 2008

Portsmouth looked in control for the majority of the game to the delight of the Fratton Park faithful who came into the game expecting a solid display following the previous Thursday night’s qualification to the Uefa Cup group stages and the team did not disappoint. They played good football feeding it down the flanks and holding the ball with Stoke simply trying to prevent them doing this and attempting to counter using long balls and playing for set-pieces.

Pompey went one up after 25 minutes despite long-throws causing a problem and Stoke would rue Kitson’s missed chance early on when Defoe picked up the ball and found Crouch who finished with a spectacular overhead kick. Stoke’s long balls were being picked up easily. Defoe looked desperate to score and had claims for a penalty turned away and rightly so as he lost his footing.

Fuller put in a typically committed performance and used his strength to scramble home an equaliser in the 48th minute stemming from a Rory Delap long-throw. It would clearly not be enough to steal a point however. Traore’s service to Defoe pointed to this as both he and Diop kept coming close. Simonsen did very well to keep out many of these efforts, depite getting booked in the process for a foul on Traore outside of the area.

It was not only Pompey that had a penalty shout however, Stoke had two of their own. Fuller latched onto the end of Michael Tonge’s ball through the centre before being brought down by David James as he attempted to take it around him. Fuller was also the man in the middle of the second penalty controversy as Sol Campbell appeared to fall on top of him. Yet again claims were turned away.

It looked as if it was not to be for Jermaine Defoe as his 50th minute effort hit the post but he would only have to wait another minute as his persistence finally paid off when his right-footed shot beat Simonsen to cap off a fine Portsmouth display. Stoke continued to battle away in the air but to no avail.

Another loss for Stoke then but by no means a bad performance. It cannot be forgotten that Stoke have encountered some of the Premiership’s biggest sides in their opening seven games. Liverpool, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton among them. There is as of yet, no great cause for concern whatsoever. Good news also comes in the form of chairman Peter Coates who has promised funds which will be made available for the January transfer window.

Home form will be crucial this season. Tottenham are visiting the Britannia this Sunday; here’s hoping….