03/03/07: Premiership Matchday #29: Pompey 0 Chelsea 2
The defending Champions were a distance behind leaders Manchester United and so come to Fratton Park with a purpose at a ground where they always win 2-0, only to win by the same scoreline again. Didier Drogba volleyed past James for the opener and despite plenty of chances for Pompey, some great saves by Petr Cech preserved Chelsea's lead and Solomon Kalou forced home a harsh second goal late on to seal the win for Mourinho's men once again.
Groundhog Day
Franck Songo'o joined Preston on loan for the rest of the season whilst worries over the new stadium situation continued as plans to roof the Milton End were revealed, putting further doubts in the minds of Pompey fans. Andy Cole and Dejan Stefanovic took part in the Man United vs Europe XI to regain their fitness before a crucial 6 pointer at the Madejski Stadium...
17/03/07: Premiership Matchday #30: Reading 0 Pompey 0
What looked like a good game on paper ended up turning into a dour affair with neither team deserving to win. Pompey went back to basics and kept the Royals at bay and the closest we came to scoring was when Richard Hughes struck a screamer that hit the crossbar. David James had now equalled David Seaman's record of 141 Premiership Clean Sheets as a result of this stalemate.
Shutout
After that anti-climax it was International week and during that period Andrew Cole joined Birmingham on loan for the remainder of the season, meaning Svetoslav Todorov would see some action. Paul Hart joined the club as the head of our new youth set up to breathe some much needed life into the system and promised to deliver a top notch academy, having seen the impressive new training ground plans.
In other news, Harry Redknapp would meet Barry Fry in a special show that everyone was extremely keen to see, whilst Scummers to continued to make a mockery of themselves by unveiling a special statue of Ted Bates. Pompey were more concerned with their trip to Craven Cottage.
31/03/07: Premiership Matchday #31: Fulham 1 Pompey 1
The away end at Craven Cottage was filled with a 5,000 strong sea of Blue that erupted when Niko Kranjcar bent in a sublime curler past Antti Niemi in the opening stages of the game. However, instead of increasing the pressure on the fragile Fulham defence, Pompey went into their shell and Fulham began to carve chances of their own, only showing any attacking intent when Toddy was brought on.
The equaliser would come in the cruellest of fashions as Ian Pearce; who would have certainly gone off if Chris Coleman hadn't used all three of his subs, hit a fierce drive that cannoned off Linvoy and past David James to snatch his clean sheet record away, and more importantly the win that would have put us back in contention for Europe. Collins John almost nabbed the winner after rounding James but his shot was cleared off the line by Primus.
The Bitter End
That sickening equaliser was a real heavy blow to our European aspects as a winless month left us in 9th, our lowest position of the season and there were now genuine fears that we could drop out of the top 10 altogether.
Premiership Table After Matchday 31
7th: Tottenham - 45pts
8th: Reading - 44pts
9th: Portsmouth - 43pts
10th: Blackburn - 40pts
11th: Newcastle - 37pts
12th: Middlesbrough - 36pts