Fratton Park goes goal crazy as Pompey celebrate magnificent seven

Fratton Park went goal crazy after Pompey beat Reading 7-4 in front of 20,102.

Benjani drilled home on seven minutes and made the score 2-0 in the 37th minute with a low 20-yard drive.

Steve Hunt nodded one back, before Dave Kitson equalised in the 48th minute and Diop saw a header ruled out.

Hermann Hriedarsson headed Pompey back in front and David James saved Nicky Shorey's penalty before Benjani completed his hat-trick.

Niko Kranjcar headed home, then Shane Long deflected a shot past James to make the score 5-3.

Sean Davis scored Pompey's sixth, Sulley Muntari converted a penalty and Shorey netted the last goal of the day.

Pompey: David James, Glen Johnson, Sol Campbell, Sylvain Distin, Hermann Hreidarsson, John Utaka, Sean Davis, Papa Bouba Diop, Sulley Muntari, Niko Kranjcar, Benjani Mwaruwari (David Nugent).

Reading: Marcus Hahnemann, Graeme Murty (Shane Long), Steve Hunt, Michael Duberry, Ivar Ingimarsson, Nicky Shorey, Liam Rosenior, Brynjar Gunnarsson (Emerse Fae), James Harper, Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson.

Meanwhile, Pompey Youth were made to pay for a poor opening after they went down 2-0 away to Southampton.

Saints' goals were scored by Jake Thomson and Michal Dolinajec.

Elsewhjere, Arsenal maintained their place at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win over West Ham United at Upton Park.

Robin van Persie scored the only goal when he rose at the far post to nod in Alexander Hleb's centre.

Didier Drogba was sent off and captain John Terry suffered a fractured cheekbone as Chelsea made it four games without a Premier League victory in a goalless derby game with Fulham.

A brilliant individual goal by substitute Yossi Benayoun gave Liverpool a hard-earned 1-0 victory against Wigan athletic at JJB Stadium.

The two bottom club sides, Derby County and Bolton Wanderers, shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Pride Park.

Championship leaders Watford were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Blackpool.

Goals by Gregzorz Rasiak and Jon Viafara helped Southampton to a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Leyton Orient came from behind to beat Bristol Rovers 3-2 to consolidate their position at the top of League One.

MK Dons were League Two's new leaders following their single-goal victory away to Morecambe.

In the FA Cup second qualifying round, the Hawks beat Bognor 2-1 at Nyewood Lane with their goals coming from Andy Gurney and Jamie Slabber.

Moneyfields were dumped out of the competition by Team bath who ran out 8-1 winners.