In fairness, I don't think we really deserved to win on the balance of play. There wasn't much to choose between the two sides, with both defences on top although we did create more chances than the opposition having switched to a 4-4-2.
Our best chance came when Glen Johnson weaved his way through the City defence and his shot was amazingly tipped onto the bar by Joe Hart. The City 'keeper also made a couple of other great saves to keep Pompey out, although the away side had the best chance of the game when Vassell failed to tap in Petrov's cross.
David Nugent also hit the post with a long range strike but after a first half where we were in control, we didn't do enough in a sloppy second half to warrant victory.
The bottom line is that we haven't done too much wrong and this draw was much better than the dire showing against West Ham a fortnight ago. I'm confident that we will play worse this season and win.
It is a little worrying that our slump in home form is costing us, having not won in three games but then when you take a closer look at it we've played some tough opposition and we still have plenty of games to come that we should win.
It's the international break now and hopefully by the end of it England will have qualified for Euro 2008, Kanu and Utaka will be fit after picking up injuries today and we will have a fully fit squad for the trip to Birmingham.
On a final note, congratulations to Havant & Waterlooville who are through to the second round of the FA Cup after a 1-0 win at York yesterday. They have been rewarded with a trip to Notts County in the second round.
Pompey Player Ratings
David James: 7 - Held a couple of shots very well and general play was good.
Glen Johnson: 8 - Was excellent going forward but caught out of position by Petrov a couple of times.
Sol Campbell: 7 - Solid performance.
Sylvain Distin: 7 - Did well against his former club.
Noe Pamarot: 6 - Made a few mistakes but made up for most of them.
John Utaka: 6 - Some good skills but couldn't get into the game much.
Sean Davis: 7 - Kept Elano quiet for the majority of the game.
Sulley Muntari: 6 - Average performance.
Niko Kranjcar: 6 - Good first half, but ineffective in the second half when moved on the right.
Benjani: 6 - Showed some good strength but couldn't find a way through the City defence.
Kanu: 7 - Proved a handful until he pulled a hamstring in the second half.
Substitutes
Jamie Ashdown
Hermann Hreidarsson
Pedro Mendes
Matthew Taylor: 6 - Baffling decision to put him on the right to begin with, but did better on the left.
David Nugent: 7 - Unlucky not to score and looked good.