Portsmouth lift gloom by defeating Southampton

Portsmouth lifted the gloom around Fratton Park with a 4-1 victory over bitter rivals Southampton that sent the beleaguered club into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

After another chaotic week for the Premier League strugglers, which included a High Court hearing that gave them a temporary reprieve from a winding up order, Avram Grant’s side produced a late flurry of goals at St Mary’s to give a much-needed boost to everyone connected with Pompey.

It is five years since these neighbours last met and they served up a dramatic fifth round contest.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie put Portsmouth ahead in the 66th minute but Rickie Lambert levelled for League One Saints four minutes later.

That sparked the vistors back into action and goals from Aruna Dindane, Nadir Belhadj and Jamie O’Hara gave Portsmouth a flattering victory.

With debts of over 60 million pounds and no sign of any takeover on the horizon, Portsmouth’s future remains in the balance ahead of their next court date on March 1, but for the moment their supporters will be able to savour this triumph over the old enemy.

Southampton, for so long a top-flight side, know all about the effect financial troubles can have after dropping down to League One and suffering a points deduction this season for going into administration.

Alan Pardew’s team have been in good form despite that penalty and reached Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in midweek.

It was no surprise that they looked the more energised team in the early stages, with Papa Waigo N’Diaye forcing Portsmouth goalkeeper David James into action with a header from Lambert’s cross.

O’Hara was responsible for Pompey’s first efforts on goal, first with a 35-yard free-kick that went just wide, then with a drive that Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis tipped over the crossbar.

James almost presented Southampton with a goal when he dropped Lambert’s corner to Radhi Jaidi but the defender headed tamely over.

England ‘keeper James redeemed himself with a brave block to deny Wayne Thomas and started the second half with another fine save to keep out Adam Lallana’s header.

Grant had seen enough to know Portsmouth were in danger of an embarrassing defeat and he reacted by sending on former Arsenal striker Owusu-Abeyie.

It proved an inspired decision as Owusu-Abeyie broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, taking Hassan Yebda’s cross and curling an excellent strike into the far corner.

Portsmouth’s travelling supporters had barely finished celebrating when Lambert headed Southampton level from a free-kick four minutes later.

That could have dented Pompey’s morale but they hit straight back. In the 75th minute Owusu-Abeyie sent Dindane clear and he chipped Kelvin Davis for his second goal of the week.

Algeria defender Belhadj added a third with a cool finish in the 82nd minute and O’Hara, on loan from Tottenham, rubbed salt into Southampton’s wounds when he lashed in the fourth after 85 minutes.