Lee Ryder reports from Fratton Park
NEWCASTLE UNITED had to settle for a point on the south coast today after their 0-0 draw with FA Cup finalists Portsmouth.
The draw made it five games unbeaten for Kevin Keegan but United could have grabbed all three points after carving out plenty of chances at Fratton Park.
KK made just one change to the side that beat Reading 3-0 with Steven Taylor shaking off a bout of food poisoning to replace David Edgar.
Newcastle kicked off bidding for a fourth successive win while Pompey fans were on the ultimate high after reaching the FA Cup final.
The Magpies started in positive fashion as Oba Martins nicked the ball off Papa Bouba Diop and unleashed a rocket from the halfway line - only for his goal-bound effort to be claimed by David James.
Newcastle’s next chance arrived on the 11 minute mark when Jose Enrique bustling run and shot went over after he’d skinned Glenn Johnson on the left hand side.
Nicky Butt then caught Pompey napping with a quick free-kick which resulted in James – who was having problems with the blinding sunshine - slicing the ball away for a corner in a real comedy moment from the England keeper.
United failed to take advantage from the corner as Pompey survived a bright opening 15 minutes from the visitors.
Michael Owen won a corner on 25 minutes yet Portsmouth were let off the hook once more as Geremi’s flag kick was headed well over by Abdoulaye Faye.
There was though a close shave at the other end for United when on 33 minutes as Muntari’s cross from the left was flicked towards goal by Kanu and in a nervous moment the ball flashed just wide.
Newcastle though responded in positive fashion when Enrique’s pass found Martins again before a typical shot from the Toon number 9 went inches over the bar.
Two minutes before the break the home crowd were furious when Kanu’s effort struck the hand of Taylor but Phil Dowd waved away the protests.
The Toon defender then attempted an acrobatic effort from Geremi’s right wing cross but Taylor’s attempt hit the side netting.
United and Pompey went in level at the break but for Steve Harper it was his turn in the second half to deal with the sunny weather as the Easington-born stopper emerged sporting a cap.
Newcastle though continued to churn out chances in the second period leaving Pompey to defend in numbers.
Yet the home side wasted a great chance eight minutes in when Muntari’s cross from the left was diverted wide of the target by Jermain Defoe who fired wide with Harper rooted to the spot.
Pompey then upped their game on the hour when a driving run by Johnson was cracked at goal with Defoe somehow getting in the way of the shot in a narrow escape for United.
Harper pulled off a great save two minutes later as Newcastle were hit on the break and pint sized England striker was denied low down as the Toon stopper turned it round the post.
With a quarter of the game left United had a superb chance through Owen when a Geremi corner landed at his feet before his fine shot was turned over by the head of James.
Seconds later a long-range effort from Geremi had to be smothered with both hands by James again.
With nine minutes left Keegan handed Alan Smith a slice of the action with the England international replacing Mark Viduka.
On 87 minutes Martins found himself through on goal but he could only drag his shot wide.
POMPEY: James, Johnson, Hreidarsson, Campbell, Distin, Bouba Diop, Davis, Muntari, Kranjcar, Kanu (Nugent 75), Defoe.
Subs: Lauren, Hughes, Mendes, Begovic.
UNITED: Harper, Beye, Enrique, Faye, Taylor, Butt, Geremi, Barton, Martins, Owen, Viduka (Smith 81).
Subs: Forster, Duff, Edgar, Carroll.
Ref: Phil Dowd
Crowd: 20,507
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