Bristol City 0 - Pompey 2
It appears reports of Pompey's demise have been greatly exaggerated.
They certainly are as long as Glen Johnson is wearing the blue shirt.
Many would have us believe the Last Rites have already been read following Jermain Defoe's messy exit.
Apparently, the firesale has just begun, the family silver is being pawned off.
As for the last one out turning out the Fratton Park lights, best take the light bulb as well. After all, we all know how cash-strapped Pompey are.
Common misconceptions, all of them – the future is a little brighter than that.
Especially with that man Johnson remaining on the scene, courtesy of his newly-penned four-and-a-half-year deal.
The England man's decision to commit his Blues future may have been largely ignored by the national media, but for south-coast fans it's been a massive boost.
Not forgetting Adams, of course. Johnson's pledge is the perfect proof his star players are firmly on his side.
Such is the former West Ham defender's undoubted influence, Pompey have recently lost all four league matches his ankle injury sidelined him for.
And it's without too much surprise his first-team comeback should coincide with Bristol City finally being put to the sword.
At least the Blues didn't lose against the Championship side at Fratton Park 10 days ago as their FA Cup defence got under way in inglorious manner.
Johnson missed that one as well – yet last night both he and his side came roaring back in style.
After the goalless draw which saw the Cup holders booed off, it was off to Ashton Gate for another chance to finish off the job.
The returning 24-year-old may not have had a hand in either goal in what would prove to be a pulsating 2-0 triumph, neither did he net them.
Nonetheless, he reminded all what a class act he is with a magnificent all-round display which had all those present purring in admiration.
And the best news of all is that he is contracted to Pompey until the summer of 2013.
It's just a good job one Pompey official succeeded in his pre-match mercy dash to the nearest shop to obtain a can of Red Bull upon Johnson's request.
Had it been failure, the consequences simply do not bear thinking about.
Thankfully, however, Johnson was in top, top form, weighing in with some crucial last-gasp interceptions as well as launching the visitors' most potent attacks with his marauding down the right flank.
Following the departures of Defoe and Lassana Diarra, the Blues need a new talisman – and Johnson truly is that man.
Now all Adams needs to do is add to a midfield that was strictly makeshift last night, even if their sterling efforts did ensure the FA Cup remains in their grasp.
With Sean Davis out with illness and Richard Hughes and Papa Bouba Diop injured, the Blues boss really was down to that fabled bare bones for his midfield personnel.
Surprisingly, he looked past Arnold Mvuemba, and elected to field central defenders Marc Wilson and Younes Kaboul in the central-midfield spots.
Meanwhile, Niko Kranjcar occupied the hole behind Peter Crouch, while Armand Traore returned to the left-hand side of midfield.
The fact Mvuemba was overlooked in such a manner can only draw the conclusion that the Frenchman has no future at the club.
Sadly for Adams, his is one contract which does not expire in the summer.
Still, it was a patched-up midfield which held impressively firm against highly-regarded battering ram midfielder Marvin Elliott, and the manager's diminutive son Lee Johnson.
Traore, in particular, enjoyed an eye-catching first half, wreaking havoc down Bradley Orr's flank in tandem with Nadir Belhadj.
And it was the on-loan Pompey man who had the visitors' first attempt on goal on seven minutes – Adriano Basso spectacularly turning his effort over.
At the other end, Nicky Maynard dropped the ball on the roof of the net with an impudent 30-yard shot, while James conjured up a brilliant one-handed stop to thwart Elliott.
On 35 minutes, David Nugent had his head in his hands when he latched on to Crouch's cross, only to divert the ball agonisingly against the foot of the post.
But Pompey broke the deadlock on 38 minutes when Belhadj's raking cross-field ball picked out Traore, whose cross from the right was slid home by Crouch.
The second half saw a rise in Bristol opportunities, yet they could not find a way past a well-marshalled visiting defence and James.
The scoreline was finally completed on 88 minutes when Kranjcar fed Belhadj and he returned the favour with a cross from the right which the Croatian effortlessly turned home.
There was still time for Maynard to see his penalty superbly saved by James after Campbell had felled the former Crewe man.
Irrespective, Pompey's FA Cup dominance continues, and with Glen Johnson by their side, you wouldn't bet on them maintaining it.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
