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Match Report
Portsmouth v Man City 10 January 2004
POMPEY ROAR BACK TO BEAT SLACK CITY
Portsmouth 4-2 Manchester City
Andy Clarke reports
Portsmouth moved out of the relegation zone after staging a dramatic second-half rally in a hugely entertaining contest against Manchester City.
Pompey were a goal behind at the interval after City had struck back in devastating fashion after conceding the opener to Dejan Stefanovic on 20 minutes.
But Harry Redknapp's side turned the game on its head with two goals in six minutes shortly after half time and Yakubu Aiyegbeni's second goal of the game made certain of the points with 13 minutes remaining.
City are now without a win in 14 games as their dreams of qualifying for Europe through the front door have turned into a relegation nightmare and although they were unfortunate not to be further ahead at half time they lost this game because of their own shocking defending.
Stefanovic was allowed to rise unchallenged to head in Patrik Berger's inswinging free-kick after an even opening period, the big defender beating substitute keeper Kevin Stuhr-Ellegaard with ease from close range.
The goal sparked the visitors into life and they dominated until half time, hitting the crossbar three times in between fine goals from Nicolas Anelka and Antoine Sibierski.
They equalised within a minute of falling behind, Trevor Sinclair heading back Sibierski's cross for Anelka to sidefoot in a delightful volley.
Robbie Fowler then rattled the bar with a volley out of nothing from 25 yards before hitting the woodwork again with a looping header.
Pompey weren't without a threat of their own, and Yakubu was giving the City defence a torrid time. His mazy run in the area almost ended in a second goal for Pompey, but Ellegaard was able to push away his well-struck shot.
Twice Richard Dunne was called upon to bar the Nigerian's route to goal with superb saving tackles, but the Portsmouth man was to win his ongoing battle with the Irish defender hands down after the break.
City continued to press, and Sibierski was the next to strike the crossbar with a dipping free-kick from 20 yards, although his aim was more accurate on the stroke of half time when he drove in a low volley after Anelka's flick-on.
It seemed that City would go on to win at a canter, but instead they crumbled.
Seven minutes into the second half, Yakubu twisted away from Dunne and beat Ellegaard from 20 yards with a sublime first-time shot.
City thought they had instantly restored their lead, but Joey Barton's deflected volley was ruled out because Anelka was standing in an offside position.
Five minutes later, Yakubu won a fortunate free-kick from Dunne's challenge on the right edge of the area, and Sheringham rose unmarked to head in easily from Berger's delivery.
Fowler tested Shaka Hislop with a 25-yard drive and Anelka headed wide from a Sinclair cross as City pressed for an equaliser, but they went to sleep again at the back as Yakubu raced through to beat Ellegaard with a low, left-foot strike to settle the match in Portsmouth's favour.
Pre-match predictions had suggested that Eyal Berkovic would run the show for his new club against the team he left two days ago, but aside from a run into the area which could have resulted in a penalty after a challenge from Dunne, the Israel international was a peripheral figure before departing to a standing ovation from all sides of Fratton Park.
Kevin Keegan stated in the week that he doesn't need to sign a defender, but on this evidence he needs to employ an entire new defence, while goalkeeper David Seaman lasted only 10 minutes before succumbing to a shoulder injury.
Portsmouth's power in the air ultimately saw them through to victory and Harry Redknapp will be able to rest easy after bringing a dismal recent run to an end.
Report From  , For full report and stats, click here.
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