But if Jermain Defoe had enjoyed his return to his old east end stomping ground, it would have been all three.

Instead, the Blues' king goal poacher had one of those wretched days that befall every striker from time to time.

If Defoe's finishing had matched every other part of his livewire display on Saturday, he would have walked out of Upton Park with the match ball tucked under his arm and a smug grin for all those West Ham fans who haven't forgot the manner of his exit from the club four years ago.

In the event, a combination of an inspired Rob Green performance and that little bit of good fortune every striker needs deserting him, meant he simply carried a frown out of E13.

Any Premier League point on your travels is a point earned.

But the simple fact Pompey faced a side whose confidence had dissipated along a run of six games without a win, made it feel like a win was there for the taking.

Once a bright start from the home side had been soundly repelled West Ham looked like an outfit full of self-doubt, a team exhibiting the classic signs of a crisis of confidence.

Their defence looked exactly what you would expect from a team who haven't been able to keep a clean sheet in 24 Premier League fixtures, a run stretching back to February.

A little more quality from Pompey in terms of delivery, penetration and accurate passing would have seen the claret and blue wall come tumbling down.

The obvious place to look for the lack of goals were the seven chances Defoe had but couldn't take.

No one should be pointing the fingers too firmly in his direction, though.

After all, aside from his 10th-minute opportunity when put clear by a defence-slicing piece of vision from Glen Johnson, he was the architect of his own efforts.

Kanu played a significant role in the chance that came his way with seven minutes left, but there was still plenty of work to do before he got off his shot which Green smothered.

In between, he carved out five opportunities which arrived as the result of his pace and direct running, scaring the life out of the Hammers defence.

A fine solo run two minutes after the restart deserved to see the net ripple, but the 26-year-old was denied by a world-class reaction stop from Green.

The same could be said for the delightful touch which saw him pluck Sylvain Distin's raking ball out of the sky a couple of minutes before, but again the Hammers keeper was equal to his finish.

Strikers deal in goals, however, and the simple fact he didn't improve his tally from the chances which came his way would have irked the former Spurs man.

He certainly did enough to ensure the watching Fabio Capello would have left the game impressed with his contribution ahead of Wednesday's tussle with Germany, though.

The greater issue for Pompey is it is becoming increasingly apparent that if Defoe or Peter Crouch don't find the back of the net, Pompey are unlikely to find the back of the net.

Nadir Belhadj's scorcher at Sunderland and Niko Kranjcar's effort at Wigan have offered the kind of assistance the strikers need.

Beyond that, Glen Johnson's solo strike at Everton two-and-a-half months ago has been the only back-up they've been given in the league.

Pompey need players in other areas of the pitch to provide more goal threat.

Sean Davis was honest enough to suggest it's time the midfield should start doing more to chip in.

And when was the last time a Pompey defender scored from a set-piece?

The days when the Blues' power play from corners and free-kicks had the opposition running scared seem a long time ago now.

It may have not been happening in the final third but a sound defensive effort, with Younes Kaboul's display standing out in the absence of Sol Campbell, meant Adams' men always looked good for a share of the spoils.

That means it's five points from five games now since the new man at the helm succeeded Harry Redknapp.

That may not not look a particularly impressive tally, but there has been enough about Pompey's work to suggest grounds for optimism.

Saturday's draw along with last weekend's win at Sunderland makes it four from two on the road.

That has given the new manager's confidence a shot in the arm after a couple of unlucky losses.

He is certainly starting to exude the belief of a man at home in his new role.

Whether that stretches to a faith in his squad to handle the loss of Lassana Diarra is another matter all together.

Pompey's talismanic Frenchman made his way to the coach on crutches after the game.

An awkward fall which saw him taking the weight of Scott Parker after an 18th-minute 50-50 has left him with a worrying ankle injury.

The idiocy of the midfielder now having to link up with the French national squad for assessment, means it may be a while before the severity of the problem becomes apparent.

Any kind of injury to Pompey's biggest asset is a concern, though, that is clear enough.

With Campbell and Niko Kranjcar also in the treatment room, Adams has now been dealt his first wave of injuries to significant first-team figures.

Kaboul offered convincing evidence he can more than adequately fill the boots of Pompey's skipper with his performance in London.

His words after a powerful display underlined his determination to become more than just a part-time incumbent of a starting spot.

Kranjcar isn't replaced so easily' however, and there are barely any players on the planet let alone the Pompey squad who can impact a game like the mercurial Diarra.

Adams needs the news on his condition from across the channel to be positive.