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Match Report
West Ham v Portsmouth 18 March 2006
Harry nails Hammers on return
West Ham 2 - 4 Portsmouth
Harry Redknapp's first return to Upton Park since being axed in 2001 saw Portsmouth collect a precious three points as they put West Ham to the sword 4-2.
Portsmouth were three goals to the good at the break courtesy of goals from Tresor Lomana Lua Lua, Sean Davis and a sumptuous third from in-form Pedro Mendes.
Teddy Sheringham gave the home side hope in the second half when he netted against his former club, but when Portsmouth substitute Svetoslav Todorov did just the same, Redknapp's glorious return was complete. Yossi Benayoun added a consolation in the final minute but it was Portsmouth that deservedly took the spoils.
While rich applause for Redknapp could be heard pre-match, a collective groan could be made out from the dressing rooms of both West Brom and Birmingham upon hearing the news that Alan Pardew had elected to rest six of his regulars with Monday's FA Cup game in mind.
Such confidence in the depth of his squad backfired last weekend against Bolton in a 4-1 thumping and again, on Saturday, West Ham were disjointed from the off and were three goals behind by half-time.
Still it was West Ham that had the first chance of note as Bobby Zamora was caught cold at Portsmouth's far post and failed to make contact when well positioned. A near miss would prove their finest moment as thereafter it was a rejuvenated Portsmouth that took charge.
A free-running Gary O'Neil was played in by Mwaruwari Benjani but his charge forward was thwarted by Jimmy Walker's brave parry before two minutes later, the 19th of an entertaining half, the home side's resistance was broken.
A static Hammers defence gave Matthew Taylor time and space on the left and from his drilled delivery a bursting run from Lua Lua was found and the striker's finish was crisp and clean beyond Walker.
O'Neil saw another break denied by Walker before Davis eclipsed his team-mate by delivering a smartly taken finish at the far post from Brian Priske's fine cross from the right.
Redknapp could afford a wry smile on the touchline as Lua Lua pulled another shot wide before West Ham finally worked themselves up enough to create a couple of chances, as first Konchesky saw a shot blocked on the overlap and Sheringham caused Dean Kiely to parry with a clever effort on the turn.
Portsmouth were then relieved that Lua Lua was on hand to repel Nigel Reo-Coker's effort off the line as West Ham pressed with a succession of corners, which meant Mendes' goal was even more important coming when it did as the half drew to its close.
The impressive Andres D'Alessandro laid the ball to the Portuguese schemer and proving last week's wondrous double against Manchester City was no fluke, from a full 20 yards he unleashed a glorious strike that left a crestfallen Walker stranded.
Pardew, having seen enough at the interval introduced Yossi Benayoun and Marlon Harewood from the bench and whilst West Ham did improve, a precious three points for Portsmouth never looked in any doubt.
A misfiring Benjani had an opportunity to open his account but pulled the ball wide when through on goal while Harewood struck the bar midway through the half with the most audacious of strikes from the right edge of Portsmouth's box.
A largely non-descript second 45 minutes was flavoured with some extra spice courtesy of Sheringham's consolation in the 69th minute - a calm finish from the penalty spot after Paul Konchesky's sweetly struck left foot drive came back off the post.
D'Alessandro forced Walker into an excellent tip over from the angle, which left Todorov to add gloss to a polished display when Lua Lua's sublime skill on the right left Konchesky bewitched and his delivery was gleefully gobbled up by the Bulgarian in the 77th minute.
In the final minute Bobby Zamora played in Benayoun and the midfielder's finish was typically one of guile but it did little to quell the glee of those Portsmouth supporters that had made the trip to the capital.
West Ham will be better at City but for Portsmouth a second successive win has given them real hope for survival and Redknapp could yet be appearing at Upton Park again next season.
| West Ham United | Team Name | Portsmouth | | 2 | Goals | 4 | | 5 | Shots on target ( Inc Goals ) | 8 | | 5 | Shots off Target (inc woodwork) | 4 | | 1 | Blocked Shots | 0 | | 5 | Corners Won | 4 | | 16 | Total Fouls Conceded | 14 | | 0 | Offsides | 5 | | 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 | | 0 | Red Cards | 0 | | 49% | Possession | 51% |
Report From 
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