JERMAIN Defoe was handed the lone striker's role for the first time in his Pompey career as Harry Redknapp reverted to the successful 4-5-1 away formation that has been so successful this season.

That meant recalls for the fit-again duo John Utaka - who returned to the right flank - and Lassana Diarra, who made up a three-man midfield alongside Papa Bouba Diop and Sulley Muntari.

Glen Johnson failed to shake off a virus and was not in the 16, so Lauren was drafted in at right-back.

There was no place among the 16 for Kanu, while Sean Davis dropped to the bench.

City, meanwhile, had defensive problems of their own with Brazilian playmaker Elano asked to fill in at right-back. Former Pompey star Benjani led the one-man attack.

City: Hart, Elano (Caicedo, 90), Corluka, Dunne (Williamson, 54), Ball, Vassell, Fernandes, Johnson, Ireland (Geovanni, 75), Petrov, Benjani. Subs: Isaakson, Castillo.

Pompey: James, Lauren, Distin, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Utaka (Aubey, 75), Bouba Diop (Baros, 75), Diarra, Muntari, Kranjcar (Davis, 83), Defoe. Subs: Begovic, Nugent.


00: Kick-off

02 - Papa Bouba Diop is the first man to try his luck from distance as his 35-yarder has City keeper Joe Hart making a real meal of things. From the resulting corner, Sylvain Distin should have done much better as his downward header bounces tamely wide.

11 - GOAL - Absolute howler from David James and Sol Campbell as Benjani nips in between the two of them when they should have taken care of it.
Stephen Ireland drags his shot across goal and Darius Vassell slides in, despite the appeals for offside. Replays suggest there was only Campbell on the goal-line, but the goal stands.

13 - GOAL - It's 2-0 to City as more poor defending from Pompey allows Martin Petrov way too much space in the box and he pokes home with a deflected right-foot shot. Dear oh dear.

17 - Hermann Hreidarsson ventures forward and gigs out a cross but Bouba Diop cannot get over it and comes crashing down.

24 - GOAL - Pompey are back in the game as John Utaka pulls one back. Lassana Diarra clips over a cross, Jermain Defoe mistimes his header, but Utaka is there to poke his shot beyond Joe Hart from close range.

29 - Deep cross from Elano finds Benjani making a run off teh back of the Pompey defence, but his header is straight into James' gloves.

32 - The dangerous Petrov picks out Benjani again, but the Zimbabwean's shot is well saved by James. Pompey are all over the place defensively and Campbell and James are still arguing about the first goal.

41 - Disaster for Pompey as Hreidarsson is sent off for pulling back Vassell as he went to race through on goal. It's harsh, but replays how that he did haul him back. And as last man, he has to go.

45 - Benjani lays off for Vassell who tries his luck with a spectacular curler, but James is equal to it and tips it away.

HALF TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2 POMPEY 1

46 - We're under way again, Sulley Muntari has slotted into left-back and Pompey are playing with four men across midfield.

52 - Good break by Pompey as Muntari skips forward, releases Utaka who supplies a fine cross, just inches over Defoe's head.

54 - Richard Dunne is off with an injury and Sam Williamson is on to replace him.

55 - Benjani should have made it 3-1 there, but fires over from six yards.

56 - And Pompey should now be level after hitting both posts within a few seconds as first Muntari's drive is pushed on to the upright by Hart and Utaka's follow-up strikes the outside of the other post moments later.

61 - Vassell wastes a great chance as Muntari slips at a crucial moment, but the City striker's finish is poor as he hits it into the side netting.

63 - Great break from Pompey as James bowls it out 60 yards, Kranjcar bursts into the box, his lay-off finds Bouba Diop, but the shot soars over the crossbar.

65 - Williamson is booked for a late challenge on Utaka and now Joe Jordan is having a row with someone from City. It's all happening here today.

70 - Now Lauren's in the book for an ugly-looking challenge on Williamson.

74 - GOAL - Benjani makes it 3-1 and he shrugs off Distin and fires past James. He's as good as his word and doesn't celebrate the goal.

75 - Milan Baros and Lucien Aubey are on for Papa Bouba Diop and John Utaka. City also make a change with Geovanni on for Stephen Ireland.

80 - Baros has a great chance to pull another one back as he ghosts into the box, but he can't beat Hart from close range.

83 - Last throw of the dice for Pompey as Sean Davis replaces Kranjcar.

88 - Good stuff from Aubey as he bombs down the left, pulls back for Davis and a fine save from Hart ensures the two-goal cushion remains.

90 - FULL TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 3 POMPEY 1