Pompey crushed in season opener
Pompey kicked off the new season with a miserable defensive display as they crashed to a 4-0 reverse at Chelsea.
Harry Redknapp's men turned in one of their worst displays in recent memory as they capitulated in a first half that they will be keen to forget very quickly.
David James' clean sheet evaporated inside 12 minutes as Joe Cole skipped on to Michael Ballack's astute throughball to angle a drive inside far post.
And more shoddy defending presented an easy chance to Nicolas Anelka just past the midway point in the half as he nodded home from close range.
Pompey's fortunes did not improve either as a harsh penalty was awarded against Sylvain Distin on the stroke of half-time for handball. Frank Lampard dispatched the spot-kick with ease.
Although Chelsea looked happy with what they had, they added a fourth before the final whistle to put Pompey in their place.
New Portuguese midfielder Deco completed the rout in the dying moments of the game as his swerving drive beat James to seal a comfortable success for last season's beaten Champions League finalists.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
