01/01/2007: Premiership Matchday #22: Pompey 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1
Spurs brought their awful away record to Fratton Park on a New Year's Day to forget. Benjani scored a lucky goal as his shot deflected over "England's Number 1" Paul Robinson and into the net. Spurs equalised when Steed Malbranque headed in when he was completely unmarked, meaning Pompey had blown an opportunity to put further distance between them and Tottenham in this dire game.
Not Singing In The Rain
A break was taken from league action as Pompey took on Wigan in an uninspiring FA Cup tie.
06/01/07: FA Cup Round #3: Pompey 2 Wigan Athletic 1
Not even 15,000 people turned up for this game, mainly due to the fact it was actually tipping it down with rain and we were playing Wigan. Pompey failed to bury numerous chances in the first half but got their reward when Andy Cole struck in the second half. Wigan had looked to have earned an undeserved replay after Lee McCulloch volleyed in a late equaliser but then Kanu scored in stoppage time to put Pompey through to Round 4, where we would meet Man United.
Leaving It Late
The following week, Pompey announced the signing of Arnold Mvuemba from Rennes and Djimi Traore from Charlton as more Pompey fans were disappointed that we had apparently set sights lower than we should have been. The latter would make his debut at Bramall Lane.
13/01/07: Premiership Matchday #23: Sheffield United 1 Pompey 1
Pompey were atrocious in the first half as Stephen Quinn bent in a free kick in the first 10 minutes after Linvoy had been ran ragged. Linvoy was subbed and Pompey produced a much improved second half performance and were rewarded for their persistance after a mix up between Claude Davis and Paul Gerrard allowed Gary O'Neil to poke in his first and only goal of the season.
Battle At Bramall Lane
Pompey made their final signing of the season and it was somewhat of a coup as Lauren joined from Arsenal for a bargain £500,000. In other news, Lomana LuaLua was arrested (again) and Glen Johnson was also in trouble for stealing a toilet seat from B & Q! The toilet seat would be a good analogy to use to describe Pompey's next match.
20/01/07: Premiership Matchday #24: Pompey 0 Charlton Athletic 1
Ben Thatcher faced the Pompey fans for the first time since his assault on Pedro Mendes last August but it was he who had the last laugh as struggling Charlton came to Fratton Park and did what they usually do: Win. To rub further salt into the wounds it was former Pompey man Amdy Faye, who had never scored a goal in English football, who got the winner. The shoddy performance by the home side wasn't helped by a poor home crowd who were just waiting to boo Thatcher every time he got the ball.
Rubbish
Pompey would get the chance to redeem themselves after such a pathetic result by going to Old Trafford and at least put up a fight.
27/01/07: FA Cup Round #4: Manchester United 2 Pompey 1
Predictably, our FA Cup campaign ended here thanks to one man. Wayne Rooney was once again the curse of Pompey as he scored a brace to put United through, the second one a chip over David James. Kanu deflected Mendes' goalbound shot late on to give Pompey some hope, but it was not to be and we were not going to Wembley, for this year at least.
Rooney Ends Cup Dream
Back to the league and salvation was on the horizon as Boro were up next and we always beat them at home.... right?
30/01/07: Premiership Matchday #25: Pompey 0 Middlesbrough 0
Gareth Southgate set his team up so that they would play 9 men behind the ball virtually all game and it worked a treat as an uninspired Pompey failed to break down Boro's stubborn defence, including an outstanding performance from Jonathan Woodgate.
Boro Blockade
Come the final day of a very disappointing month David Thompson left for Bolton and Ognjen Koroman would also leave soon afterward. After a month of missed opportunities Pompey were out of the FA Cup and had only taken 3 points from a possible 12, meaning we were clinging on to a UEFA Cup place.
Premiership Table After Matchday 25
4th: Arsenal - 45pts
5th: Bolton - 40pts
6th: Portsmouth - 38pts
7th: Reading - 37pts
8th: Everton - 35pts
9th: Tottenham - 33pts