Post-Harry Pompey held to a draw

Portsmouth’s first match since manager Harry Redknapp’s shock departure for Tottenham ended in a draw after Clint Dempsey’s late equaliser earned Fulham a 1-1 draw here Sunday.

Pompey took the lead in the 61st minute when Peter Crouch struck after being played in by fellow England striker Jermain Defoe.

But three minutes from time a defensive lapse saw the unmarked Dempsey score at the near post.

The draw left managerless Portsmouth, currently in the caretaker charge of Redknapp’s former assistants Tony Adams and Joe Jordan, in seventh place in the Premier League table.

Fulham, who had Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to thank for keeping them in the match, battled hard after arriving on the south coast with a run of four defeats in five games.

But despite their efforts this result still saw them end the weekend just a point above the relegation zone.

Jimmy Bullard gave Pompey a scare in the opening minute when his 25-yard free-kick went just wide with England goalkeeper David James at full stretch.

But Portsmouth were unlucky not to take an eighth minute lead when Younes Kaboul’s header from a Lassana Diarra corner was cleared off the line.

Nadir Belhadj, who later hit a post, shot straight at Schwarzer before Fulham’s Andy Johnson had an effort correctly ruled out for offside.

After a goalless first-half, Defoe twice went close to breaking the deadlock, shooting just wide and then seeing Schwarzer make a good save.

Defoe did though set up Pompey’s opener by running at the Fulham defence from 25 yards out. As the Fulham defence backed off he passed to Crouch, who beat Schwarzer from inside the box.

Belhadj’s shot was then tipped onto the post and Portsmouth were made to pay for not making the most of their chances when Dempsey got on the end of a cross from Erik Nevland.