Containing a side with debutants Pericard and Merson, Portsmouth stormed to a 2-0 victory via goals from the returning Deon Burton and Pericard. This was followed up by a good draw in midweek as Burton found the target again at Bramall Lane over perennial challengers Sheffield United.
A solid start - but didn't we say that a year before? - settled some nerves but little did Portsmouth fans expect that no more points would be dropped for over a month - Crystal Palace, Watford, Brighton and Wimbledon were among those turned over before before Norwich's Iwan Roberts wrecked Pompey's unbeaten streak at Carrow Road. In the midst of this, Pompey rolled over Peterborough to advance in the Worthington Cup.
But there was no hangover as a Nigel Quashie inspired win over Bradford set the Blues back on track, and although Wimbledon stunned Pompey at Fratton Park to send us tumbling out of the League Cup, Division One form remained consistant and by the time Leicester City arrived on the south coast, Pompey were the leaders by a considerable margin.
The 2nd placed Foxes cut this lead after a controversal game at Fratton, set in abysmal conditions where the pitch contained pools of water due to the downpour - simular to that which caused the cancellation of the Bristol City - Notts County game. However, the 2-0 loss stood, angering Redknapp.
A win over the Foxes' neighbours Derby County, insipred by goals from Todorov - whos cut price transfer from West Ham was starting to look like a bargain - and Burchill set the Blues back on track and three matches against strugglers - Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday and Walsall - were not wasted as they all yielded maximum points which gave Pompey a commanding seven point lead over Leicester in 2nd place by the end of November - and 12 points over Forest and Norwich.
December wasn't so kind, as the pressure set in four consecutive draws had cut their lead over the Foxes to just four points by Boxing Day, but the year was completed in sensational style as Nottingham Forest, who harboured fourth spot at the time, were defeated at the City Ground by an understrength Pompey side - Matt Taylor and Vincent Pericard goals sealed the win, with only a Michael Dawson injury time consolation in reply. It was a fine win that shattered the myth that Portsmouth didn't have the bottle for the promotion challenge, but there was still a lot of games to be played before anything was confirmed - including a tricky FA Cup tie at Old Trafford.
Read about the crucial run-in in the concluding part of the 2002/2003 Review tomorrow.