West Brom-Portsmouth: Sharing Points at the Hawthorns

Pompey could only salvage a point against West Brom at the Hawthorns, following their UEFA Cup defeat only three days before.

Peter Crouch's second half goal levelled things up for Pompey as they took a disappointing point back to Fratton Park.

Tony Adams' men showed early domination, and the expected long ball up to Peter Crouch was not troubling the Baggies defence, but West Brom fought back hard as David James was called into action.

It was West Brom who took the lead after referee Mike Dean awarded the Premiership strugglers a very soft free-kick against Portsmouth's Sol Campbell.

Chris Brunt's thundering attempt hit the bar before Jonathan Greening scrambled to bury the rebound past David James.

Adams made a half time change in the form of Nadir Belhadj, coming off for the second game running at half-time, and replaced by Glen Little.

Pompey started to fight back after Adams' stern half time ticking off, as Johnson's long ball found Jermain Defoe who crossed the ball across the 18-yard box, but couldn't find the approaching Peter Crouch.

Ismael Miller then went close again as James tipped away Miller's low shot before leaping onto the loose ball.

The Blues fought a goal back as Peter Crouch's shot struck Meite and the underside of the crossbar on the way into the net.

Crouch's sixth goal in the league this season gave Pompey the chance to fight back and get a winner, but it was the Baggies who went closest to getting the next goal.

Ismael Miller once again parted Sol Campbell and Slyvain Distin before firing it at James, who pulled off a great save.

Pompey's midfield were strong in the middle with both Papa Bouba Diop and Sean Davis having good performances, holding the ball up, picking out passes, and throwing in the tackles where needed.

Glen Johnson's frequent runs down the right wing were troubling West Brom and the England right-back was put in on goal by Defoe before firing it over from six yards out.

Portsmouth had yet another chance to go ahead as Carson fumbled Johnson's cross and the ball rolled along the line, but neither the linesman or referee seemed to think the whole ball went over—replays showed it appeared to be the correct decision.

Although a fair result from the match events, taking only a point against a struggling West Brom team is disappointing, and if Pompey are to put pressure on Aston Villa and maybe even Arsenal, then they need to stop dropping these points.

Pompey Pages Man of the Match was Sean Davis for the second game running, although Papa Bouba Diop and Glen Johnson were close contenders.

Davis ruled the midfield and gave everything: great passing, chips, crosses, and when he lost the ball he ran around to fight to regain possesion—and the majority of time he managed to. A bit more chasing up could be asked for from some of the big names in Pompey's squad, notably Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar.

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