Gill Clark analyses the individual performances from Portsmouth and Newcastle’s men as they played out a 0-0 draw at Fratton Park…
Portsmouth
David James: 6.5 - The first half sunshine troubled him more than the Newcastle forwards. In the second half he was busier, staying big to ensure Michael Owen hit his shot over and followed this up with a good save from Geremi. A couple of characteristically wild excursions outside his area when he missed the ball completely will have worried his defenders.
Glen Johnson: 7 - Offered an option going forward for Portsmouth and was solid at the back. Booked for a late lunge on Enrique.
Sol Campbell: 7 - Kept Viduka quiet and generally looked solid at the back.
Sylvain Distin:6.5 – Along with Campbell had a comfortable afternoon, only occasionally troubled by Martins’ pace.
Herman Hreidarsson: 7 – A relatively trouble-free afternoon. Supplied a looping cross into a sun-blinded Harper which almost brought dividends.
Papa Bouba Diop: 6.5 - Blazed over a last minute shot and offered little going forward, but was solid in his defensive duties as always.
Sean Davis: 6.5 - Attacking instincts curbed as he was keeping half an eye on Michael Owen. Solid but overshadowed by Butt and Barton.
Sulley Muntari: 6 – Some good incisive passes but at other times struggled to find his front men. Couldn’t quite impose himself on the game as he has done this season.
Niko Kranjcar: 7 - Portsmouth’s most creative player as usual, and their one man who looked as though he might be able to conjure up an opportunity for his front men. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite to be.
Nwankwo Kanu: 5 - A quiet game, unlucky not to win a penalty after his shot was blocked by Taylor but that was about as good as it got for the big man. Eventually replaced by David Nugent.
Jermaine Defoe: 6 - Anonymous first half but a much improved second 45. Spurned a great chance to put Portsmouth ahead at the beginning of the second half and forced Harper into another excellent save just after the hour mark. Had another couple of chances but finishing just slightly off today.
Substitutions
David Nugent:n/a - Replaced the ineffective Kanu but had little chance to influence proceedings.
Newcastle United
Steve Harper: 7 - Had little to do but saved well from Defoe when needed.
Habib Beye: 7 - Another improved performance by the right back who is having a decent end to the season.
Steven Taylor: 6.5 - Despite a couple of shaky moments, he had a solid game. Almost scored with an audacious scissor kick but effort flew just wide.
Abdoulaye Faye: 6 - Had a few half-chances from corners but put headers wide. Troubled by Defoe’s pace and lost him completely for a chance the striker should have scored.
Jose Enrique: 5.5 - Continues to make his transfer fee look ridiculously expensive. Knocked the ball out of play on numerous occasions and constantly troubled by Johnson’s forward runs. Had some good moments goign forward, but sloppygoing backwards.
Nicky Butt: 7.5 - Made the game look easy at times. Some good interceptions, read the game well and sprayed the ball around with confidence. Quite arguably Man of the Match.
Joey Barton: 6.5 - A decent midfield performance, combined well with Butt and often picked out good passes to his front men. Picked up a late booking for lunge on Kranjcar.
Geremi: 7 - Good delivery from set pieces but strangely not so great from open play. Forced James into a decent save from a decent long range effort and provided a threat down the right all afternoon.
Michael Owen: 6.5 - Played in his ‘new’ deeper position which caused problems for Portsmouth. Had glorious chance to score mid-way through the second half but put it just over the bar from close range.
Mark Viduka: 5 – Had one chance in the first half from a corner which went straight at David James. Other than that did very little and was substituted by Alan Smith.
Obafemi Martins: 6.5 - Looked sharp and lively and certainly had the better of Newcastle’s chances but too often his first touch or his finishing let him down.
Substitutions:
Alan Smith:n/a - Replaced the ineffective Mark Viduka. Had little chance to influence proceedings.
Gill Clark
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