Sunderland and
Portsmouth drew a rather feisty and competitive encounter to take a point a piece
in their huge SkyBet League One promotional encounter in front of 41,129 at The
Stadium Of Light.
The hosts knew only a win would do to keep their chances of
automatic promotion going for another few days as they sat in fourth, two
points behind Pompey in third and four behind second placed Barnsley.
Portsmouth themselves knew a draw wouldn’t be a disaster for
them but a win would have put them in charge of going up for sure, and with
both teams having a game in hand over Barnsley they both knew three points here
and in Tuesday’s games would see them possibly leapfrog Barnsley into second
going into the final day next weekend.
It was no surprise that a bumper crowd was in attendance and
the players were welcomed into the arena by a terrific atmosphere from both
sets of fans, it must have made them realise just how big this game was so no
doubt both sets of players couldn’t wait to get going.
The hosts began well and almost took the lead when Lewis
Morgan’s overhead kick was tipped onto the woodwork by Craig MacGillivray, but after
nine minutes Sunderland got their noses in front when Aiden McGeady’s cross was
headed home by Tom Flanagan, and the home fans were up on their feet dreaming
of glory.
Pompey though came back into the contest after that early
set-back, and midway through the half found a leveller when after Lee Brown had
headed against the bar, the ball was returned into the dangerzone and saw Jamal
Lowe tap home from close range, and sent the 3,000 plus visiting fans wild.
Unfortunately, one so called visiting ‘fan’ lobbed a smoke bomb
into the home fans below, and injured a family sitting in that section, which
saw the game halted for about five minutes.
Thankfully the perpetrator was arrested and dealt with accordingly. There is no place in the game for that sort
of behaviour so it doesn’t look good on Portsmouth, which is a shame as they
are a good family club and they don’t need people like this ruining their reputation.
Anyway, back to the football and it looked as though Pompey
were starting to take control, and they thought they had taken the lead when
Ronan Curtis thumped home a loose ball, but the referee deemed that hosts
keeper Jon McLaughlin had been fouled under pressure from a corner, so the goal
was ruled out.
The Black Cats though ended the half well and so nearly
edged back in front in first-half stoppage time when a brilliant move ended
with Charlie Wyke’s point-blank effort being brilliantly saved by MacGillivray,
and this contest was all square going into the break.
Half Time Sunderland
1 Portsmouth 1
The second half saw chances few and far between for both
sides, and you could feel the nerves amongst both sets of fans, as they knew a
goal either way would make a massive difference in the race from promotion.
But as the half went on you felt Portsmouth were settling
more for the point as they knew they could still have a decent shot at automatic
promotion with a point, and started to sit deeper and allow the hosts onto them
more and more. The hosts knew they had
to win, simple.
And great Black Cats move almost ended with Max Power giving
them the lead, but that man MacGillivray was to Pompey’s rescue again, tipping
the effort away for a corner kick, and making sure his side remained level.
Will Grigg then came on for the hosts and he almost put
Sunderland ahead with five minutes remaining, but could only turn a cross against
the woodwork, as Portsmouth survived again.
The large home crowd were willing their team on to a late
late winner, but Pompey held firm and managed to see the remainder of the game
out to claim what could be a precious point for Kenny Jackett’s men. They know that if they win their game in hand
on Tuesday, they are just a point behind leaders Luton Town and second placed
Barnsley going into the final game.
For Sunderland, it means play-offs now unless a miracle
happens, and they look like they could take on Charlton Athletic over two legs
for a place at Wembley, so more stress for the Black Cats long-suffering fans
no doubt. After the final whistle saw a melee
ensue between the two sets of players, showing how much this game meant to
both, and how important promotion is for these two sleeping giants. The next month is going to be nerve-racking
that’s for sure.
Full Time Sunderland
1 Portsmouth 1
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