Harry Redknapp kept faith in the same starting 11 that eased to a 3-0 success at Everton last time out.

As expected, he stuck with the 3-5-2 formation that worked so effectively at Goodison Park with Glen Johnson and Armand Traore occupying the wing-back positions.

That meant Younes Kaboul, Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin made up the back three.

The only real surprises came among the substitutes as Noe Pamarot and David Nugent both returned to the squad after injury.

New signing Nadir Belhadj had to be content with a place on the bench, but Kanu was still not deemed fit enough for a place in the squad.

POMPEY: James, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Johnson, Davis, Diarra, A Traore, Crouch, Defoe. Subs: Ashdown, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Belhadj, Mvuemba, Nugent, Utaka.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Turnbull, Hoyte, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, Digard, O'Neil, Downing, Alves, Mido. Subs: Jones, Taylor, Johnson, Wheater, Porritt, Walker, Craddock.

00 - Kick-off.

03 - Afonso Alves spurns a glorious early chance as Didier Digard provides a fine low cross and the Brazilian sneaks round the back of Sol Campbell, only to lose his footing at the vital moment. Lucky escape for Pompey there.

06 - Pompey start to dominate possession after a slow start, but no clear-cut openings as yet.

13 - Raking pass from Kaboul finds Jermain Defoe who controls brilliantly before firing in a fierce left-footed drive that Ross Turnbull does well to hold.

15 - A dangerous cross from Traore looks destined to find Peter Crouch six yards from goal, but Chris Riggott makes a superb last-ditch headed clearance to deny the Blues striker.

23 - It's Pompey who are doing most of the pressing so far, with Lassana Diarra dominating midfield, but no change out of the Boro defence so far.

24 - GOAL: POMPEY 0 BORO 1 - Boro take the lead against the run of play as Mido capitalises on a defensive error to slot home. Both Kaboul and Cambell went for the same high ball, but the former Spurs striker tucks home from close range.

28 - Defoe gets the first yellow card of the afternoon after an altercation with Robert Huth.

32 - Pompey's bright start has faded badly now. Boro are well on top and stroking the ball around with confidence. Worrying times for Pompey.

40 - Harry Redknapp will have some thinking to do at half-time. As well as the system worked at Everton, it hasn't clicked so far.

45 - Pompey nearly find an equaliser right on half-time as more good work from Traore sees the on-loan wide man provide a fine cross into the danger area. But Defoe and Papa Bouba Diop can't quite get on the end of it and Turnbull punches clear.

45 - Half time.

46 - We're off and running again as Pompey attack the Fratton end for the second half.

47 - Bright start again from the home side as Diarra rifles one narrowly over the bar. Belhadj has slotted in at left-back with Traore on the wing ahead of him.

55 - Half-hearted claims for a penalty are waved away by the referee as Jermain Defoe tumbles over in the box. Chris Riggott just looked like he stood strong there though, despite some vehement appeals from Pompey's players.

59 - GOAL: POMPEY 1 BORO 1 - Defoe crashes home an equaliser after great work from Crouch to release him in the inside right channel. That was a top drawer finish and it's Pompey's first goal at Fratton Park since March 29. The drought is over!

64 - Good stuff again from Pompey as they pour forward. They are bossing this now and Sean Davis sees a shot whistle past the post with the keeper beaten.

67 - Crouch is so nearly through on goal as Defoe attempts to thread a pass between defenders but Turnbull smothers well as he darts off his line.

69 - Bit of a let-off for Pompey as Stewart Downing crumples to the ground inside the area after a clumsy Belhadj tackle. The Boro radio boys are shaking their heads in disbelief at that one, but it wasn't an absolute stonewall pen. It did look a good shout though.

70 - Sub for Boro as Didier Digard makes way for Andrew Taylor.

73 - Slippery stuff from Defoe inside the box and his effort just creeps wide of the far post from a seemingly impossible angle.

75 - Glen Johnson is rightly booked for a blatant dive in the box as he anticipated a challenge that never came. Stupidly, Mido gets himself booked as well for having a go at him after the defender has already been shown the yellow card.

78 - Davis should have put Pompey ahead there as he misses a glaring opportunity. Defoe's clever backheel puts him clear 18 yards out and his attempted chip sails over. He had so much time there, but the chance has gone. Defoe sees a toe-poked effort well stopped by Turnbull moments later as Pompey continue to push for a winner.

83 - Utaka blazes past Taylor and gets free down the right, but his cross is awful and drifts out with Defoe waiting for a simple pass.

84 - Boro make a change as Adam Johnson is on for Mido, while Hermann Hreidarsson replaces Traore.

86 - GOAL: POMPEY 2 BORO 1 - Defoe does it again as he volleys home from close range following a defensive mix-up in the Boro box. They should have cleared it, but Defoe pounces and fires home in front of a jubilant home crowd.

90 - Pompey should have wrapped it up there after a break involving Crouch, Belhadj and Defoe. It should have been the Bues striker's hat-trick, but he scuffs the chance and Riggott kicks it off the line.

90 - Full time.