Arsenal 2-2 Portsmouth: Gunners comeback

Arsenal 2-2 Portsmouth
Barclays Premiership
Saturday, December 16, 2006, 3pm


Arsenal ensured their unbeaten record at the Emirates Stadium remained intact - but had to again settle for a draw after coming from 2-0 down against Portsmouth.


With Liverpool leapfrogging both these teams into third place in the Barclays Premiership earlier this afternoon, the pressure was on.

However, after Robin van Persie saw two close-range efforts saved by David James, the Gunners again found themselves chasing the game when Noe Pamarot headed Pompey in front during first-half stoppage time.

A stunning effort from Matthew Taylor a minute after the restart put the visitors in total control.

However, Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor was brought off the bench just before the hour and had soon pulled a goal back - before Gilberto equalised as the Gunners struck twice quickly themselves.

Despite plenty of pressure during the closing stages, it was another afternoon of frustration for the home side and their manager Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal started brightly and almost snatched an early lead.

Following good work from Alexander Hleb down the right, Emmanuel Eboue's centre picked out van Persie in the six-yard box.

The Dutchman's downwards header looked to be going in - only for a wrong-footed James to stick out a boot and make a brilliant reaction save.

The Gunners continued to press, but failed to find a telling pass around the Pompey penalty area.

Arsenal were dominating, with Theo Walcott - who replaced injured Freddie Ljungberg on seven minutes - proving a handful.

The England teenager dashed into the right side of the area before drilling a low ball across goal, which James deflected clear.

On 23 minutes, the Pompey keeper pulled off a fine double save.

First the former England man beat away Cesc Fabregas' low 25-yard drive, and then got up quickly to block Van Persie's follow-up at the far post.

As the half-hour mark passed, Pompey finally enjoyed a decent spell of possession.

However, the visitors failed to make the most of some promising build-up and several corners.

As the first half drew to a close, neither team were able to keep possession for any decent spell.

Then, in stoppage time, the visitors took the lead.

A deep free-kick from the left from Matthew Taylor was flicked on by David Thompson.

The ball came back off the inside of the post and Pamarot was on hand to head into an empty net.

It did not best please Wenger, who had words with the match officials at half-time, just days after he was fined by the Football Association for his touchline bust-up with former West Ham boss Alan Pardew.

No sooner had the Gunners coach sent his side out for the second half, than they were 2-0 down.

The Arsenal defence failed to clear their lines - and the loose ball dropped to Taylor on the edge of the penalty area.

The midfielder, who scored a stunner against Everton last week, sent an exquisite left-foot strike back over Jens Lehmann and into the far corner.

The home side immediately upped the tempo in an attempt to get back into the match.

With talisman captain Thierry Henry watching from the stands because of a hamstring problem, any inspiration would have to come from another source.

And with 35 minutes left, Arsenal turned to Adebayor - who had netted the winner at Wigan in midweek - with the big Togo striker replacing Jeremie Aliadiere.

It was not long before that turned out to be an inspired substitution.

Walcott got away down the right to send over a teasing low cross.

Adebayor timed his run to perfection, arriving on queue at the penalty spot to lash the ball first-time past James on 58 minutes.

Before Pompey had time to regroup, it was 2-2.

Centre-back Kolo Toure charged forwards to unleash a stinging 25-yard drive, which James could only parry.

Adebayor was first to the rebound, and cut the ball back across goal.

It was only partially cleared, which allowed Walcott to tee-up skipper Gilberto and he drove the loose ball low into the bottom left corner from close range.

Those two goals in as many minutes had turned the match on its head, with the Gunners faithful now in full voice - and the Pompey chimes silenced.

Arsenal continued to look dangerous - and van Persie could have won it when he waltzed through the Portsmouth defence, only to stab a left-foot shot inches wide.

[ Source form : sportinglife.com ]