Kranjcar rescues Pompey point

Niko Kranjcar denied West Brom three points as Portsmouth drew 2-2 at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Midfielder's super set-piece ensures it ends honours even

Niko Kranjcar denied West Brom three points as Portsmouth drew 2-2 at Fratton Park on Saturday. The Croatian midfielder's perfectly executed free-kick stopped Tony Mowbray's side from recording a crucial victory in their bid for survival after second-half Johnathan Greening and Chris Brunt goals gave the visitors the lead. The Baggies found themselves in a usually dour situation when Younes Kaboul gave Pompey a first-half lead with a spectacular left-foot drive from close range. But thanks to a calamitous moment from David James, and a quality free-kick courtesy of Brunt's wicked left boot, both teams ended with a share of the spoils. The result does not do a lot to help either side in their bids to stay in the Premier League, but Paul Hart's Pompey rise two places to 14th after fellow strugglers Blackburn and Hull suffered defeats. It was a cruel blow for a spirited West Brom side, who had battled back superbly as they sought to improve their winless run of nine matches - a sequence that includes six defeats. They started the day eight points adrift of safety and their failure to prevail at Fratton Park nudges them ever closer to the Championship.

Kaboul efforts

Pompey boss Paul Hart will be concerned by the way his side fell apart after the break, but he could at least take consolation from the efforts of Kaboul. Kaboul's appetite for work was evident from the start as he profited from Pompey's early superiority to launch a series of raids. He flashed a promising effort wide of the left post but then squandered a glut of possession with a series of poor final balls while Jermaine Pennant spoilt a good idea with an overhit pass. Kranjcar appealed for handball against Abdoulaye Meite, playing his first match since Ivory Coast's World Cup qualifier against Malawi two weeks ago when 19 spectators died, but referee Mike Dean was unimpressed. It was then Pompey's turn to come under pressure with James coming to their rescue twice in quick succession. He easily dealt with Robert Koren's turn and shot but had to dive to keep out James Morrison's close-range effort following a dreadful mix-up between Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin. The left post denied Kranjcar in the 27th minute and moments later Pennant blasted narrowly wide as West Brom came back under the cosh. Kranjcar tried to outmuscle two West Brom defenders at the far post but the Baggies wall held firm and the Croatian then acrobatically met a Pennant cross, directing it wide. It seemed only a matter of time before the breakthrough arrived and Pompey delivered through Kaboul in the 33rd minute. Pennant did the initial damage, forcing the ball to Kaboul who dashed into the area, rounded Greening and smashed the ball into the top left corner of the net. Brunt almost issued an instant response for West Brom but his low shot missed by inches. A dynamic run by Gianni Zuiverloon put Pompey under further pressure but James read the move beautifully and got fingertips to the final pass in the nick of time.

Calamitous

The second half was just two minutes old when West Brom equalised with a well-worked move that also had a touch of luck to it. Brunt collected an inch-perfect pass that bisected Pompey's defence but his deflected shot was kept out by James, who then had to deal with Morrison's rebound. This time James could only palm the ball out as far as Greening, who made no mistake from close range. Meite was easily robbed in midfield by David Nugent but the Pompey striker was bundled off the ball by Jonas Olsson, who then engaged in a shoving match with Crouch. West Brom were in the ascendancy and they sent their travelling contingent wild when Brunt sent them ahead in the 64th minute. Greening won a free-kick five yards outside the area and Brunt stepped up, sending the ball into the bottom left corner via a kind deflection. But just three minutes later Pompey were back on level terms, Kranjcar successful with a 25-yard free-kick that left keeper Scot Carson little chance. Greening headed a corner over the crossbar with three minutes to go as Pompey's goal came under late siege in a nervy finale but the precious winner eluded them.

Portsmouth	Team Statistics	West Bromwich Albion
2	Goals	2
1	1st Half Goals	0
4	Shots on Target	7
9	Shots off Target	4
0	Blocked Shots	1
4	Corners	2
16	Fouls	12
2	Offsides	4
3	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
72.6	Passing Success	78.4
29	Tackles	17
79.3	Tackles Success	70.6
48.2	Possession	51.8
62.2	Territorial Advantage	37.8