Pompey shown Howe to Win by Clarets

The Clarets beat Portsmouth last night coming away from Fratton Park with a 2-1 win. This was their first win in 12 attempts over Pompey and their first victory over the Hampshire side for 29 years. It also marked the first win for new manager and former Pompey player, Eddie Howe at only his second attempt following the 0-0 away draw to Scunthorpe United on Saturday. Away wins for the Clarets are a luxury this season but at least we can now claim to have won two on the road so far.

All the goals came in a six minute spell towards the end of the first half. Burnley opened the scoring after 31 minutes when Rodriguez got on the end of a Danny Fox cross to shoot home with his right foot. Our lead did not last long though with a Pompey equaliser coming just two minutes later when John Utaka got in a right footed shot to equalise following some good work by Kanu. It looked like typical Burnley this season being unable to hold on to leads for long but the Clarets fans joy was soon restored just eight minutes before half-time when a superb overhead kick by Marney soared into the back of the net to give the Clarets a 2-1 lead at the break. In the second half, Burnley had chances to increase their lead but Pompey too began to come back at the Clarets. Clarke Carlisle and Michael Duff though were majestic in defence and soaked up all the Pompey pressure.

In the end the Clarets held on to move up to ninth in the table to within a sniff off the play-off places. They are now five points behind sixth placed club, Leeds United with a game in hand. Games are coming quick and fast now and it is vital we maintain a winning streak and go on a bit of a run starting with our next league game away to Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat next Tuesday night. Rovers are struggling and they suffered another home defeat last night to South Yorkshire rivals, Barnsley so it will be important to take advantage of their low confidence to keep our promotion hopes alive.

Eddie Howe made just one change last night against Portsmouth. Steven Thompson recently linked with a move to Hibs and due to see a specialist for a niggling groin injury this week, got a start with Wallace dropping back to the bench.

In summary we lined up as follows:

Grant, Mears, Carlisle, Duff, Fox, Cork, Elliott, Marney, Rodriguez, Thompson, Eagles

Subs: Jensen, Easton, Edgar, Bikey, Alexander, Wallace, Iwelumo

Match Stats

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Halford, De Laet, Lawrence, Ward, Sonko, Mullins, Hogg (Hreidarsson 89), Utaka, Nugent, Kanu (Dickinson 64)

Subs Not Used: Flahavan, Rocha, Ciftci, Kilbey

Booked: 0

Goal: Utaka 33

Burnley: Grant, Mears, Duff, Carlisle, Fox, Cork, Marney, Elliott, Eagles (Alexander 90+1), Rodriguez, Thompson (Iwelumo 87)

Subs Not Used: Jensen, Edgar, Bikey, Easton, Wallace

Booked: Yellow Cards for Duff and Cork

Goals: Rodriguez 31, Marney 37

Possession: 48% Portsmouth, 52% Burnley (Source: BBC Sport)

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

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