Blues triumph as Cherries pay penalty

The Blues won 4-3 on spot-kicks after the game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Southampton loanee Lee Barnard missed his spot-kick and Marc Pugh blazed his 12-yard effort over for the visitors.

Brian Howard, Liam Walker, Ashley Harris and Luke Rodgers all did the business for Michael Appleton’s men.

That provided the late drama as the Blues won their first game of the season.

Bournemouth took the lead after five minutes when Shaun McDonald rose above Kevin Long to head home.

The visitors were much the better side early on and should have been further up when Wes Fogden rolled a shot wide when well placed.

But Pompey levelled moments before the break when Rodgers expertly fired home from Mustapha Dumbuya’s cross.

The Cherries retook the lead 14 minutes after the restart when Pompey were caught napping from a corner, allowing McDonald to fire home a fine drive.

He was outdone by Howard’s leveller, though, seven minutes later, when he curled in a delightful 25-yard curler.

Then came the penalties, with Mikkel Andersen saving Barnard’s effort – setting the tone for Pompey to progress.