Four second half goals saw Chelsea through to the fourth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge following a goalless first period.
The first goal came quickly after the break through Mata after good work by Malouda down the left hand side. Attacking Aaron Mokoena, playing out of position at right back, was a tactic the home team had clearly worked on but it has to be said Mata was poorly marked and found himself free yet 'surrounded' by Pompey defenders.
The last three goals came in the final nine minutes of play as Pompey's hold out play finally caved in. Brazillian Ramires scored twice before the 90 minutes were up and Frank Lampard added a flattering fourth goal in the third minute of added time.
The history books will say 4-0 but the 3,000 vocal Pompey fans who were there will know that there was so much more to this story.
Pompey saw Joel Ward return to the starting line up, following his suspension, replacing Erik Huseklepp. Greg Halford also returned from suspension replacing Joe Mattock who had returned to WBA following his loan spell. Ricardo Rocha returmed fom injury and former Chelsea player Tal Ben Haim dropped to a seven man bench which included Pompey youngsters Adam Webster and Ryan Williams.
Pompey had a chance to shock their hosts as early as the first minute as Mark Futacs flicked a pass on with his head to Dave Kitson who should have hit the target. Unfortunately, his left footed shot wasn't hit cleanly and Peter Cech watched as the ball drifted just wide of the post.
Pompey's other good opportunity in the first half came just before the interval as David Norris found himself some space and fired a low shot just wide of the same post.
Chelsea's best moment of the first half came through Fernando Torres who saw his header well saved by Stephen Henderson, palming the ball away to safety.
HT: Chelsea 0-0 Portsmouth
Chelsea's opening goal came following a moment of controversy with Pompey players appealing for handball against Ashley Cole. With the players appealing to the referee Malouda made an excellent run down the left and along the dead ball line to cut back sharply for the unmarked Spaniard, Mata, to fire home.
The old adage of 'play to the whistle' was never more apt.
Pompey almost levelled seven minutes later. Dave Kitson did well to win the ball of David Luiz to set up a move that saw Cech and Terry make good saves from Futacs, Ward and Norris. Terry went down injured following this passage of play and received lengthy treatment on the pitch.
Going down one-nil was never on Michael Appleton's agenda and he made two changes, one enforced, in an attempt to change the shape of the game. Hayden Mullins was replaced by Erik Huseklepp and Australian winger Ryan Williams replaced the injured Ricardo Rocha who limped off the pitch.
Chances fell to Halford, who headed over from a corner won by Williams and Liam Lawrence fired a shot well wide of the upright and in to the Pompey fans behind the goal after Marko Futacs had put him clear.
Futacs and Lawrence also had free kicks during the second half in good positions around the penalty box, neither troubled the 'keeper.
Pompey were finally made to pay for their brave, open stance as Chelsea found space to punish them with the three late goals.
Overall, this was a brave and disciplined Pompey performance against a strong Chelsea team. The FA Cup is over for another season but there were plenty of positives to take from this game in to the remainder of the league campaign.
FT: Chelsea 0-0 Portsmouth
Portsmouth versus Chelsea: Stephen Henderson, Aaron Mokoena, Ricardo Rocha (replaced by Ryan Williams on 70 minutes), Jason Pearce, Greg Halford, Joel Ward, Hayden Mullins (replaced by Erik Huseklepp on 67 minutes), David Norris, Liam Lawrence (c), Dave Kitson and Marko Futacs. Substitutes not used: Jamie Ashdown, Tal Ben Haim, Adam Webster, Hermann Hriedarsson and Benjani.
Attendance: 41,529
Source: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk
Pompey MOTM: not an easy one to pick, I thought David Norris and Marko Futacs had good games and Jason Pearce did very well marking Torres. What do you think, who was Pompey's stand-out player? Let me know: @PompeyChicken at Twitter.com
Next up for Pompey: West Ham United in the Championship on Saturday 14th January at Fratton Park 3PM kick-off
Pictures of the Stamford Bridge crowd before the players arrive
Pompey fans before the match
Chelsea Banners
Before The Match
Various match action pictures
Pompey fans towards the end of the match
BlueThruAndThru
