A stoppage time winner by Norwegian international Erik Huseklepp secured Pompey three valuable points in this Championship encounter at Fratton Park.
Pompey made one change to their starting line-up, from the game against Hull City the previous week, Liam Lawrence came back in to the team in place of Luke Varney. Lawrence had completed his ban following two yellow cards against West Ham whilst Varney was starting his ban following a straight red at the KC Stadium. David Norris returned the skipper's armband to Lawrence.
Aaron Mokoena, who had such a torrid time against Hull playing at right back moved to centre back and Greg Halford played in the wider defensive position.
Joel Ward played in a central midfield role with David Norris playing high up front with Benjani in a lone striker role flanked by Huseklepp and Lawrence pushing forward down the flanks. The Norwegian and the Irishman did swap wings at one point during the first half but Huseklepp mainly played out left and Lawrence out right.
The other 'big news' was that Steve Cotterill had ditched the tracksuit and was suited and booted. Both he and Ian Holloway looked very smart on the touchline. It must be a West Country thing.
Blackpool looked the brighter side in the first half and Pompey had Jamie Ashdown to thank for a couple of good saves including a good block from Matt Phillips who found himself through one-on-one with the 'keeper. Ashdown made himself big, having come out of goal, and the ball deflected away for a corner after Phillips had shot. Ashdown also tipped a Blackpool free-kick over the bar from a Thomas Ince free-kick towards the end of the first half.
Pompey were finding it difficult to deal with the quick movement of the Blackpool players - especially Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Kevin Phillips - who exposed holes in the defence on more than one occasion. Fortunately, for the home team Blackpool were unable to take their chances.
Pompey's best opportunities in the first half came from set-pieces and Joel Ward had two good chances. He found himself completely unmarked in the penalty area from a corner kick but despite getting his head to the ball, the contact wasn't good, and it spun wide of the far post. He should have hit the target. Later he was the first to get on to the end of a Greg Halford long throw in to the penalty box, only to see the ball go wide.
There was one 'Laurel and Hardy' moment during the first half with a Pompey free kick on the edge of the 'D'. It involved Norris and Pearce who pretended to get in each others way before Pearce unleased a shot which didn't get beyond the Blackpool wall. It was a clever idea but with hindsight having Greg Halford blast the ball on goal might have been the better option. This was the sort of move to be tried out when the three points were 'in the bag'.
It had been a much better performance than the previous week with Joel Ward and Erik Huseklepp in particular 'catching the eye' for Pompey. However, Matthew Gilks in the Blackpool goal did not have a single shot to save and Benjani was looking isolated up front on his own.
HT: Portsmouth 0-0 Blackpool
As the second half progressed Mr Deadman the referee racked-up an impressive list of yellow cards, he booked nine players throughout the game, including three for Pompey. One of those players was David Norris who was booked during the first half and as a result was subdued for much of the game eventually being replaced by Kanu.
Unfortunately, Aaron Mokoena suffered an injury just before the hour and was replaced by Ricardo Rocha, the Portugeuse defender was warmly welcomed to the pitch by the Fratton Park faithful. He'd got himself booked within a few minutes of being on. But in typical Rocha fashion he defended with purpose although it wasn't always pretty.
Pompey looked the brighter team in the second half and continued to push forward but with little joy. Liam Lawrence had Pompey's first meaningful shot on goal late on from long distance which Gilks saved easily and this was followed shortly afterwards by Joel Ward with a right footed drive pushed away by Gilks.
Blackpool had a couple of shouts for handball in the penalty area during the second half but the officials were having none of it.
With four minutes of time added and with some fans leaving early having seen enough up popped Erik Huseklepp with a wonderful volley. The move started with a Greg Halford long throw in front of the North Stand, the ball deflected off the head of a Blackpool defender to Huseklepp who volleyed the ball in to the top corner beyond Gilks.
It was a stunning strike and worthy of winning any game. There were some fantastic scenes with the Norwegian celebrating in front of the Fratton End and then running down the South Stand touchline to the Pompey bench where he was joined by players and staff alike.
The sense of relief around Fratton Park was immense and the fans burst in to life chanting "Erik the Viking!". The atmosphere had been subdued to say the least throughout most of the match, not negative but much quieter than normal. It needed a spark and the players hadn't done enough to ignite the passion of the fans: Erik's goal did the trick though!
This was a victory and three much needed points for Pompey, their second League win of the season. Although the overall performance wasn't great nobody will care about that if this is the result kick starts a run of form and Pompey's season. If is a big word though, the Pompey fans are realistic and they know what they witnessed wasn't great. But they also know that Steve Cotterill is going through his second team re-build at Pompey in two seasons and these things do take time, there's still plenty to do.
After the match some were referring to this as a 'Pedro Mendes' moment but it wasn't.
This was an Erik The Viking moment!
FT: Portsmouth 1-0 Blackpool
Portsmouth versus Blackpool: Jamie Ashdown, Greg Halford, Aaron Mokoena, Jason Pearce, Tal Ben Haim, Joel Ward, Hayden Mullins, David Norris,, Liam Lawrence, Erik Huseklepp and Benjani. Substitutes: Stephen Henderson, Ryan Williams, Kanu, Ricardo Rocha, Marko Futacs.
Attendance: 14,935 there was a good vocal following from the North West that provided a nice dash of colour on the Milton End. Interestingly there were Pompey fans on the Milton End too, the first time this season.
Pompey MOTM: Erik Huseklepp. His winning goal aside, Erik had a fine match. He has this canny ability to run down the left flank lose his marker and cut inside to deliver a good pass or a cross. Better teams will find him out if he always does it the same way but at the moment it works and he delivers. He set up Lawrence for one effort on goal in the second half and do you remember his cross at West Ham for the David Norris goal? He's settling in to Championship football very nicely and this was his best game for Pompey so far. His post-match interview on BBC Radio Solent highlighted his modesty, he's a level-headed chap.
Next up for Pompey: Peterborough United at Fratton Park on Tuesday 26th September at 7:45PM in The Championship. This is a great opportunity for Pompey to get their second consecutive win of the season although it won't be easy against Darren Ferguson's team.
Match Action Pictures
Jason Pearce, Aaron Mokoena, Greg Halford and Joel Ward line up to defend a cross in the second half.
Joel Ward, completely unmarked, prepares to head the ball goalwards in the first half but his effort went wide of the far post and the chance was spurned.
David Norris receives his yellow card in the first half, he was subdued for much of the game after this and was eventually substituted.
Pompey players Joel Ward, Greg Halford, Jason Pearce and Benjani prepare for a cross.
Another second half Pompey attack with Kanu and Benjani making a nuscience of themselves in the penalty area.
A second half Blackpool attack.
Another Pompey attack in the second half.
Jamie Ashdown screams out orders to his defenders in the second half.
Pompey prepare to defend a corner in the first half.
The Laurel and Hardy free kick!
Benjani and two Blackpool defenders.
Joel Ward, Greg Halford and Jason Pearce defend against three Blackpool attackers.
Pompey players and staff celebrate Erik Huseklepp's 94th minute winner.
Erik Huseklepp applauds the Pompey fans after the game.
Jason Pearce and Joel Ward, two Pompey young guns, clap the Pompey fans at the end of the match.
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