Pompey chimes ring out victory knell

Last updated : 29 October 2002 By Steve Cummings

Ian Moore - sacrificed as we went 4-4-2
The last time Burnley failed to take anything from a game, at Reading in August, they lost by the same scoreline. But the difference between the limp surrender that night and the spirited display against Portsmouth is almost immeasurable, and the side that lost out to Pompey is unrecognisable from the outfit that caused Stan Ternent to label his side an, "embarrassment."

Unbeaten in twelve and having taken seven points out of nine from teams relegated from the Premiership last season, Burnley approached this fixture in buoyant mood. Given the length of the run and the quality of football we had been playing, it came as no real surprise that the Clarets went into the game bearing no changes from the side that pulled off last-minute heroics at Portman Road.

Packed with ex-Premiership stars such as Paul Merson, Steve Stone and Shaka Hislop, and having tasted defeat just once so far this season, it was always on the cards that the visitors would provide us with our sternest examination of the season so far. And so it proved.

In the same way that Manchester City did last season, Portsmouth went at Burnley from the off. Inside 10 minutes, Marlon was called into action, saving a shot from Svetoslav Todorov after quick, incisive approach play from Paul Ritchie and the impressive Matthew Taylor.

Just before the quarter hour, Graham Branch (horribly exposed for most of the afternoon) enjoyed a run forward, but was tackled as he attempted to send over a cross. Three minutes later, Hislop was forced to tip over a Gareth Taylor header from a Glen Little corner.

But that little flurry was about all Burnley could muster in terms of attack, and the remainder of the half saw Portsmouth, largely through the promptings of the inspirational Paul Merson, get a tight grip on the game. On 22 minutes the visitors scored the goal they had been threatening. Debutant Steve Stone found Todorov down the right. Given the ridiculous amount of space Nigel Quashie found himself in, Todorov had no difficulty picking him out with a pass. Quashie’s superbly struck shot cannoned off the post and into the helpless Beresford’s net.

Meanwhile Stan Ternent had twigged that we were being overrun in midfield, and Ian Moore had to make way for Paul Weller as the gaffer tried to beef things up in the middle of the park by going 4-4-2. Moore was less than thrilled by his substitution and illustrated his displeasure by hurling his tracksuit top into the back of the dugout. Still, it’s nice to know he cares.

Minutes later, Todorov and Quashie teamed up again, Marlon having to save from the latter. Just before the interval, a rare attack saw the Clarets force a free-kick on the edge of the Portsmouth area. Lee Briscoe thudded a shot straight at the wall and Branch had to tackle Merson well as the visitors threatened to snatch a second.

Ternent had clearly "had words" during the break, and Burnley emerged with more belief about themselves. From the off they caused Pompey problems. On 47 minutes Blake and Little combined well, the latter sending over a centre which Gareth Taylor fired goalwards, only for Shaka Hislop to save. At the other end Paul Merson fired a tame shot at Beresford following good work from Matthew Taylor.

On 57 minutes Glen Little embarked on a mazy run playing a one two with Robbie Blake, but dragged his shot wide. But two minutes later came the hammer blow. From 20 yards Todorov aimed an innocuous shot toward goal. It had no pace and should have been a routine stop for the keeper. Unfortunately, Beresford completely misread the situation and the ball bounced over his supine figure into the goal.

To Burnley’s credit they did not fold. On 65 minutes Brad Maylett replaced Graham Branch. Shortly thereafter Blake had a shot tipped over. With 15 minutes remaining Davis fed Maylett whose low cross somehow evaded Blake 5 yards out.

A minute later, the Clarets were offered a lifeline, as Steve Stone was adjudged to have handled a Lee Briscoe cross. Given that Blake, Taylor and Little were all on the pitch, the choice of Dean West as nominated penalty-taker struck many as unusual. Fears about Fred’s spot-kick skills were then realised as our right-back thundered the ball against the crossbar and into the travelling supporters in the Cricket Field Stand. You kind of knew the game was up there and then.

But still Burnley persisted, and minutes later Matthew Taylor had to clear a Robbie Blake effort off the line. With the Clarets committing more men to attack, it was inevitable that a side of Portsmouth’s quality would exploit the holes at the back. On 86 minutes Stone’s cross was met by Pericard, but Beresford saved the resultant header. A minute later, Briscoe was outpaced by Steve Stone whose perfect centre was met by substitute Kevin Harper who converted from 2 yards, Dean West a mere spectator.

It could have got worse. A by now rampant Pompey were breaking through at will. Quashie’s drive was headed away by West, and Ritchie hit the post with a header after a gem of a cross by Merson. The final whistle must have come as something of a relief to Burnley’s players.

Sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and say you were beaten by a very good side, which was the case in this game. In Burnley’s defence they will not come up against a better team than Portsmouth in the league this season, and the Clarets kept going right to the death. They can travel to Grimsby in good heart knowing that if they reproduce the kind of form they have done since the end of August they will come away from Blundell Park with three points.