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Match Report
Leeds v Portsmouth 25 April 2004
POMPEY SEAL CRUCIAL LEEDS VICTORY
Leeds 1-2 Portsmouth
By Graeme Bailey
A brilliant display from Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth gave them a crucial 2-1 win at Leeds United, with Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Tresor Lomana Lua Lua grabbing the goals for Pompey.
Pompey controlled the play for most of the game and never looked back once Aiyegbeni powered them ahead after just nine minutes.
Moments into the second period and Pompey looked to have sealed the three points when Lua Lua head home from close-range.
However, a controversial penalty saw Ian Harte give Leeds a lifeline with just seven minutes remaining - but they could not draw level.
Leeds had made the brighter start of the two sides, with young guns Simon Johnson and James Milner looking particularly bright - with the latter shooting straight at Shaka Hislop with the first opening of the game.
However, Portsmouth swept forward and opened the scoring with their first attack of the game.
The move was all the work of former England star Steve Stone, who broke down the right and cut back inside and delivered a wonderful ball to the back post for Yakubu to head low and forcefully past Paul Robinson after he had got the better of Michael Duberry.
Just five minutes later, Pompey should have extended their lead after a Matthew Taylor corner caused all sorts of trouble in the Leeds area and the ball eventually fell to Arjan de Zeeuw, but the Dutchman lifted his effort over the bar from just four yards.
Pompey were well on top with their midfield dominating the centre of the park.
One of their star men in Alexei Smertin embarked on a run brilliant 70-yard run to the edge of the Leeds area - but his low cross was well taken by Robinson.
Leeds' best chance of the opening period came on the half hour mark, when an effort similar to the one which fell to de Zeeuw - arrived at the feet of Duberry following a Ian Harte corner, but the former Chelsea man could also only scoop his effort over the bar.
The home side's cause was not helped when Dominic Matteo was forced off through injury at half time and Leeds seemed to miss their skipper's organisational skills.
Duberry nearly registered on the scoresheet just moments in the second period, but in his own net as he was relieved to see his clearance from Lua Lua's effort just go wide.
But from the resulting corner - Pompey added a crucial second as Yakubu rose unmarked to head Stone's corner at goal - Robinson parried but only upwards and Lua Lua was first to react as he headed home from just underneath the bar.
Leeds attempted to rally themselves an brought Nick Barmby into the fray, but to little avail.
Jermaine Pennant had a free kick well saved by Shaka Hislop - but that was just about as good as it got for the home side.
Pompey backed off late in the game and allowed Leeds possession and time to come at them, but the visitors defended admirably from first to last with de Zeeuw, Linvoy Primus and Dejan Stefanovic in imperious form.
Only half chances were allowed to come Leeds' way, the best of which came for Milner, but he lashed his effort from the edge of the area wildly over the bar.
Then with nine minutes left - Leeds were handed a lifeline when the linesman spotted Primus tugging Duberry's short and Uriah Rennie gave what looked the softest of penalties.
Ian Harte stepped up and side-footed home to set up a grandstand finish.
Leeds from nowhere had hope, and they pushed forward in numbers and they should have levelled just moments after their first, as Barmby fired at goal from the corner of the six-yard box - only for Hislop to produce a wonderful save to his right.
The chance was to be Leeds' last opportunity to level and now their Premiership status hangs by a thread with just three games of the season remaining.
Pompey, on the other hand, have now broken the 40-point barrier and look to have guaranteed their place in The Premiership next season
Report From  , For full report and stats, click here.
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