Peterborough United 0-3 Portsmouth
It's been an utterly horrible week for Pompey fans. From Monday to Friday, the news outlets seemed to be in a competition with each other to depress the Portsmouth supporters the most. Every story became grim, grimmer and grimmest. However, throughout these difficult periods, we tend to do our best to block out the trauma and concentrate on the football, and that would have been made ever sweeter by the tremendous victory over Peterborough this Saturday.
As I squoze myself into the rather cramped little seats offered by the Posh, I was very impressed by the growing Pompey turnout. Given the nature of our club's situation, the fact that London Road is a paltry little stadium, the problem of the game changing dates quite recently and just generally bad away performance all season, I was expecting a meagre turnout from the Blue Army. I'm not a seasoned away-game traveller, so I suppose I still harbour a little naivety. Pompey brought up 1500. A number that spoke a resilience and determination to keep singing the Pompey chimes.
The Blue Army was louder too. Songs of celebration, encouragement and the occasional jibes of self-derision exploded out of the away stand. Meanwhile, a clearly weary Peterborough support watched on in a pained silence. Who could blame them? After only a few minutes, Futacs header was spurned by Joe Lewis, and after bouncing the ball off a defender for a bit, Huseklepp casually lifted the ball into the net to give Pompey the lead.
The side showed a lot of composure throughout the game. Despite that fact that Peterborough dominated possession for long periods of the game, Portsmouth were comfortable with that and defended competently enough for it to make little difference. Both Pearce and Rocha were outstanding in the way they coped with Peterborough's advances with the ball, although it would have to be justified that Peterborough's attacking display was boorishly one-dimensional and lacked any creativity.
After a couple of Posh's long range efforts found their way safely into the stands, Pompey began to attack once more. A simple corner goal, the like you see too often against bad defences, was converted by Jason Pearce. Already the die seemed to have been cast. Peterborough seemed out of breath from the first whistle, and resembled a team that was low on morale.
Cue a tremendously poor penalty at half-time, courtesy of a Peterborough fan who consequently missed his opportunity to make £500. Bizarrely, this was easily the most noise the Posh faithful made throughout the entire day (and probably their best effort on goal).
During the second half, Peterborough had a minor resurgence. If I was to size it, it would be half a peg. Actually, maybe a quarter. The point is, it was only a tiny bit better than their performance had been thus far. You maybe have to sympathise with their midfield, because they did do an excellent job of keeping the ball and trying to move it around, but they were stifled by a complete emptiness in ideas.
In either case, Huseklepp's clinical finishing ended any possible hope the home supporters had. It was difficult to see the third goal from the away end, but whoever set the goal up played a clever little ball to Huseklepp in space (the BBC says it was Etuhu, but the highlights clearly show the passer was white). He did a nice curly shot around the 'keeper, and that sealed the cake.
So another three points for Appleton, who has not only kept up some excellent home form, but has reinvigorated us on our travels. The way we set out seemed very intelligent. We didn't look to press the team so much as allow them to become frustrated with their lack of incisiveness. Our attacking was very effective, and that has to be a major positive when it comes to gaining this type of result.
Match Ratings
Stephen Henderson - 7 - Barely had anything to do. Was competent enough when called upon.
Greg Halford - 7.5 - Played his part in a rock solid defence. Made a couple of decent runs forward.
Jason Pearce - 9 - As comfortable as a baby mouse in a blanket. Barely put a foot wrong and was unbeatable in the air.
Ricardo Rocha - 8 - Coped with all the pressure thrown at him and didn't break a sweat. He seems to be forming an excellent partnership with Pearce in the games I've seen. As much as Rocha is getting on, I think he's a good influence for the young defender.
Tal Ben-Haim - 7 - His job was to defend, and he did that. Just don't ask him to pass I suppose.
Joel Ward - 6.5 - Lost him to be honest. I'm guessing that may be because we didn't really control possession at all, so he won't have stood out.
Hayden Mullins - 8 - His passing was very impressive, and he was constantly trying to get his foot on the ball. One of his better performances.
Liam Lawrence - 7.5 - Created chances and made things happen. What you'd expect of Lawrence.
Kelvin Etuhu - 7.5 - He looks like he might end up being a frustrating talent. He had a few moments of class, and if his attitude is right he could be an excellent player for the club.
Marko Futacs - 7 - Not as influential as I'd hoped he would be, but he played a big part in a very successful attack.
Erik Huseklepp - 9 - When he is called upon in front of goal, he delivers. Always seemed to be a class above the drowsy Peterborough play.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Erik Huseklepp
Villain of the Match - Peterborough's penalty-taking fan
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