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A Pompey side inspired by captain Paul Merson cruised to an emphatic win with two first-half goals from Merson's penalty and Svetoslav Todorov and the third in the second half from Deon Burton.
Merson was the architect of all the Blues finest work and his throughball to Jason Crowe after 42 minutes resulted in makeshift centre-half Marcus Gayle bringing down the former Arsenal man for an undisputed penalty.
Merson stepped up to beat Watford keeper Alec chamberlain with a beautifully dispatched shot into the top right-hand corner of the net.
On the stroke of half time, Pompey extended their lead when a Merson cross from the right could only be headed away by Gayle to Todorov whose shot from 12 yards on the turn beat Chamberlain.
Ninety seconds into the second half the contest was effectively over as Todorov's neat pass on the edge of the area played in Burton who slotted the ball calmly home from close range.
Poor watford could only manage two shots and their misery was complete 12 minutes from time when Allan Nielsen was sent off for disent.
Ray Lewington was in philosofical mood after the game. "I had a long chat with the players and they Know my feelings.
"For 40 minutes we competed but we lost the plot before and after half time and that cost us.
"We got what we deserved and we have to play better.
"Allan Nielsen said that he didn't say anything to the referee but he must have done and he will have to learn .
"Portsmouth were far and away the best side and Paul Merson was fantastic."
More news this weekend....