Pompey failed to take advantage of Everton's draw earlier in the day as they couldn't manage to find the net against Newcastle in a frustrating game at Fratton Park.
It wasn't the entertaining encounter many were expecting as a blunt Portsmouth couldn't break down a Newcastle side who were probably the better side on balance of play, but didn't give David James too much to do.
The first half was almost a chore to watch as neither team spent too much time attacking, though Pompey may have had a penalty after Steven Taylor's hand touched the ball after it come off his heel. It probably would have been harsh if Phil Dowd gave it, but instead he spent all game giving silly little decisions that wound up the crowd. Typical Dowd showing then....
Michael Owen had the best chance for Newcastle after he shot from close range only to be denied by David James' afro whilst Jermain Defoe had Pompey's best chances but should have made more of them.
We could have stolen all three points at the end but Papa Bouba Diop fired miles over after Kranjcar has squared the ball to him in the area. In the end we had to settle for a draw and miss a great opportunity to get closer to Everton after their draw with Birmingham.
I'll take the point though. It's asking a lot for Defoe to score in every game he plays and for the team to maintain a winning run all the way to the end of the season.
There are four games left to go and fifth is still to play for but now we'll be looking over our shoulders at Villa and City.
Pompey Player Ratings
David James: 6 - A couple of shaky moments but a couple of good saves too.
Glen Johnson: 7 - Impressive once again.
Sol Campbell: 7 - Solid performance.
Sylvain Distin: 6 - Was OK against former club.
Hermann Hreidarsson: 6 - Generally good.
Papa Bouba Diop: 6 - Wasted on the right, missed a good chance to score.
Sulley Muntari: 6 - Gave the ball away too much.
Sean Davis: 6 - Average.
Niko Kranjcar: 7 - Looked lively when he had the ball.
Jermain Defoe: 6 - Should have made more of his chances.
Kanu: 6 - Didn't influence the game.
Substitutes
Asmir Begovic
Lauren
Richard Hughes
Pedro Mendes
David Nugent: 6 - Didn't change anything.
It wasn't the entertaining encounter many were expecting as a blunt Portsmouth couldn't break down a Newcastle side who were probably the better side on balance of play, but didn't give David James too much to do.
The first half was almost a chore to watch as neither team spent too much time attacking, though Pompey may have had a penalty after Steven Taylor's hand touched the ball after it come off his heel. It probably would have been harsh if Phil Dowd gave it, but instead he spent all game giving silly little decisions that wound up the crowd. Typical Dowd showing then....
Michael Owen had the best chance for Newcastle after he shot from close range only to be denied by David James' afro whilst Jermain Defoe had Pompey's best chances but should have made more of them.
We could have stolen all three points at the end but Papa Bouba Diop fired miles over after Kranjcar has squared the ball to him in the area. In the end we had to settle for a draw and miss a great opportunity to get closer to Everton after their draw with Birmingham.
I'll take the point though. It's asking a lot for Defoe to score in every game he plays and for the team to maintain a winning run all the way to the end of the season.
There are four games left to go and fifth is still to play for but now we'll be looking over our shoulders at Villa and City.
Pompey Player Ratings
David James: 6 - A couple of shaky moments but a couple of good saves too.
Glen Johnson: 7 - Impressive once again.
Sol Campbell: 7 - Solid performance.
Sylvain Distin: 6 - Was OK against former club.
Hermann Hreidarsson: 6 - Generally good.
Papa Bouba Diop: 6 - Wasted on the right, missed a good chance to score.
Sulley Muntari: 6 - Gave the ball away too much.
Sean Davis: 6 - Average.
Niko Kranjcar: 7 - Looked lively when he had the ball.
Jermain Defoe: 6 - Should have made more of his chances.
Kanu: 6 - Didn't influence the game.
Substitutes
Asmir Begovic
Lauren
Richard Hughes
Pedro Mendes
David Nugent: 6 - Didn't change anything.