Sunderland sweat on status

Sunderland failed to confirm their Premier League status as they threw away the lead to lose 3-1 to Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Black Cats lose as controversy surrounds referee Wiley

Sunderland failed to confirm their Premier League status as they threw away the lead to lose 3-1 at Portsmouth, but the match was overshadowed by controversy surrounding referee Alan Wiley. The Black Cats, who could be caught by relegation rivals Hull City and Newcastle on the final day of the season, took the lead through Kenwyne Jones, but Pompey deservedly hit back as John Utaka, a Phil Bardsley own goal and Armand Traore wrapped up the points. However, match official Wiley caused a storm when blowing his whistle before Utaka equalised, only to allow play to continue. Portsmouth's Peter Crouch and Sunderland's Jones both went agonisingly close to opening the scoring in a tight first half as the pair hit posts at either ends with headers. But the game then exploded into life on 59 minutes as Jones gave Sunderland the lead against the run of play when prodding in a superb Calum Davenport cross. The game was then struck by debate 90 seconds later as the equaliser came when Utaka fired in, but Wiley appeared to blow his whistle before the Pompey striker, who was wrestling with Davenport, shot. Sunderland then found themselves behind in the 68th minute as Utaka broke clear following a horrible gaffe from Anton Ferdinand, and Bardsley was unfortunate to prod into his own net. Pompey - who were safe from the drop before kick-off - then made sure of the points two minutes from time as substitute Traore fired in a low third to ensure Sunderland host Chelsea on Sunday still sweating on their top-flight safety. Sunderland remain a point better off than Hull, who host Manchester United, and two ahead of local rivals Newcastle.

Excellent

Other than when both sets of fans joined forces to revel in Alan Shearer's predicament at St James' Park the atmosphere at Fratton Park bordered on the soporific. Glen Johnson, Portsmouth's Player of the Year, tricked his way into space on the right edge of the Sunderland box and floated a cross towards Crouch. The England striker had his first header blocked and then saw his second rebound off the inside of the post and roll along the goal-line before Ferdinand slid in to clear. Sunderland responded positively. Danny Collins stretched to reach Leadbitter's pass and he pulled back an excellent cross for Steed Malbranque, who volleyed wide from 15 yards. Jones got the better of Sol Campbell with a strong turn to tee up Leadbitter just inside the box but the midfielder's drive was blocked by a brave dive from Sean Davis. Asmir Begovic, making his debut in the Portsmouth goal, then reacted smartly as the rebound fell to Malbranque to block the deflected strike with his right leg. Sunderland were struggling to deal with Portsmouth's width and Ferdinand required treatment on a cut above his left eye after clashing in the area with Crouch. When Sunderland could get Jones into the game he was proving a handful and he teed up Richardson with a delightful back-heel on the edge of the box but the England international spooned his shot high over the bar. Sunderland lacked the drive and hunger for a team in such desperate need of a win but they came within a hair's breadth of snatching a priceless half-time lead after Jones' downward glancing header struck the inside of the post and rolled across the goal-line. Hayden Mullins had lost the ball carelessly to Collins wide left and although the initial cross was too high, Malbranque lofted the ball back into the box and Jones stole between Campbell and Sylvain Distin.

Confusion

Traore came on at half-time and his first contribution was to nick the ball off Malbranque and launch a swift counter-attack but his clipped cross was just behind Crouch and his header looped over the bar. Crouch was brought down on the edge of the box by Collins after Portsmouth had picked open the Sunderland defence with some slick midfield passing. Johnson pulled the free-kick low and wide but Sunderland could not relieve the pressure and from a subsequent corner Ferdinand had to head clear after Crouch stole in at the far post. The match lit up after 59 minutes when Jones, a constant thorn in Portsmouth's side, finished a swift counter-attack. It was Sunderland's first away goal since the North-East derby against Newcastle on 1st February and it sparked a series of acrobatic flips from Jones. But at the other end, Crouch's header ricocheted off Leadbitter back into his own box and Utaka held off Davenport to turn and rifle his first goal of the season past Fulop. But Wiley appeared to whistle before the shot, apparently for a penalty before playing advantage, leaving everyone confused. And seven minutes later Sunderland were behind after a howler from Ferdinand, who completely missed a routine long ball and allowed Utaka to steal into the box again. Utaka dragged the ball past Fulop and although full-back Bardsley did his best with a sliding challenge, he only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net. Sunderland tried desperately to force an equaliser and Jones had a volley saved at point-blank range. But Portsmouth wrapped up the win with two minutes remaining after Traore was given too much time to pick his spot inside the far post.

Portsmouth	Team Statistics	Sunderland
3	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
2	Shots on Target	7
5	Shots off Target	14
2	Blocked Shots	3
5	Corners	6
11	Fouls	7
0	Offsides	1
1	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
76.8	Passing Success	77.8
19	Tackles	28
84.2	Tackles Success	82.1
41.9	Possession	58.1
48.6	Territorial Advantage	51.4