Match notes
Two goals from Norwegian international Erik Huseklepp and one from Jason Pearce secured Pompey victory in this Championship encounter at London Road.
This was Pompey's second away win this season, the previous victory came against Burnley with a dramatic late winner scored by David Norris who was still sidelined for this match following his recent hernia operation.
With all of the bad financial news during the week leading up to this fixture, it was great to concentrate on football matters on-the-pitch.
Pompey made one change from the last minute 3-2 defeat to Cardiff City the previous week, Ricardo Rocha replacing Dave Kitson who dropped to the bench.
Huseklepp tucked in behind Hungarian striker Marko Futacs, Joel Ward played down the left wing and Kelvin Etuhu, in his second appearance, played down the right. Skipper Liam Lawrence took up a central position alongside Hayden Mullins.
Mullins effectively ran the game during the first period as Pompey took control against a lacklustre Posh side; such a contrasting performance to their Fratton Park visit earlier in the season when they snatched a last minute 3-2 win.
Pompey started very brightly attacking the end where there own fans were standing and took the lead in the fifth minute, following a good move down the right hand side involving Mullins and Etuhu.
The ball found its way in to the box and Futacs met the cross with a diving header that goalkeeper Joe Lewis failed to deal with. His fumble saw the ball fall at the feet of Huseklepp who tucked it in to the net at the second attempt. He tore away to celebrate in front of the joyous travelling Pompey faithful on the Moy's Terrace.
The second goal came five minutes before the break from a Liam Lawrence corner. Jason Pearce, the subject of a recent transfer window bid by Ipswich Town, found some space in the box to powerfully head the ball home. He reeled away towards the centre circle to celebrate as the rest of the team joined him. The onlooking Paul Jewell must have been impressed.
HT: Peterborough United 0-2 Portsmouth
After the break Darren Ferguson made three substitutions in quick succession in an attempt to shake things up a bit and get his team back in to the game.
For a while Peterborough did look brighter and Henderson was forced to make a couple of good saves as the home team pressed for a goal.
However, Rocha and Pearce looked solid in the centre of defence, Tal Ben Haim had just a bit too much class for his opposite number and Greg Halford had a solid game, playing well in an unfamiliar right back position; Pompey never seriously looked in any trouble.
Lawrence was having a fine game alongside Mullins in midfield and Michael Appleton has uncovered a long-forgotten gem of a player in Kelvin Etuhu who worked tirelessly down the right and was always capable of causing the home defence problems.
Pompey's third goal came twelve minutes from the end as Huseklepp found himself on the left hand side of the penalty area, turned and passed the ball in to net past the diving Lewis.
The goal prompted another great celebration by the Pompey players in front of the South Stand and topped off a fantastic all round team performance.
The scoreline could have been worse for the home team as both Ward and Kitson spurned good chances before the final whistle.
At the end of the game the players and staff acknowledged the travelling fans - over 1,200 made the trip - with both Halford and Mullins throwing their shirts in to the crowd.
The victory pushed Pompey up in to 16th place in the Championship table on 34 points, one position and one point ahead of Peterborough.
FT: Peterborough United 0-3 Portsmouth
Portsmouth team against Peterborough: Stephen Henderson, Tal Ben Haim, Ricardo Rocha, Jason Pearce, Grag Halford, Kelvin Etuhu, Liam Lawrence (c), Hayden Mullins, Joel Ward, Erik Huseklepp, Marko Futacs (replaced by Dave Kitson in the 82nd minute). Substitutes not used: Jamie Ashdown, Adam Webster, Ryan Williams and Benjani
Attendance: 7,555 (including 1,276 Pompey fans who made the trip, an excellent turnout)
Source of team, attendance and goalscorer information: www.portsmouthfc.co.uk
Pompey MOTM: I'd give it to Jason Pearce, just ahead of Hayden Mullins and Kelvin Etuhu.
Next up for Pompey: Hull City at home on Saturday February 4th 2012, 3PM kick-off, in the Championship. As one of only two home matches before the winding-up petition brought by HMRC is heard on February 20th, all Pompey fans are being urged to #PackThePark.
Some more pictures
Pompey fans celebrating goals
As requested by @PMRyderEsq :-D
BlueThruAndThru
