Pompey Shock Arsenal

Congratulations to Harry Redknapp for the wonderful job he is doing at Portsmouth. And there’s no better indication of the progress the club has made than the ability to go to the Emirates Stadium and secure a point against Arsenal.

In the end it was a point which owed much to the brilliance of goalkeeper David James, who made a succession of inspired saves, notably from Van Persie (three times), Hleb, Toure and Walcott, as Arsenal dominated possession and piled on the pressure.

The Gunners had been stunned to go two goals behind to the visitors. They led when a dubious free kick awarded by Mr Fussy, referee Steve Bennett, produced a cross that was headed onto the post by diminutive midfielder David Thompson (who is apparently not appearing in panto this year) and bundled in by the alert Pamarot, then shortly after half time Matthew Taylor continued his goalscoring form with a beautiful volley to the far corner that gave Jens Lehmann no chance.

And after that, it was backs to the wall and a creditable defensive display after Arsenal hauled themselves back into the game with goals from Emmanuel Adbayor and Gilberto Silva.