Football: Pompey finish in a flourish

PORTSMOUTH maintained their charge towards the First Division title even though it was far from vintage stuff from Harry Redknapp's side against struggling Stoke.

Mark Burchill broke the deadlock in the 49th minute with a smart near post effort.

Then Pompey had to wait until the final three minutes to slam home their advantage.

Substitute Vincent Pericard headed in the second from Svetoslav Todorov's cross then Todorov cleverly chipped home the third to complete a miserable afternoon for City boss Tony Pulis on his return to Pompey.

Pulis was back at Fratton Park for the first time since his controversial departure from the South Coast club two years ago.

He returned to football as Stoke boss a fortnight ago, just four days after receiving a reputed pounds 200,000-plus compensation package in an out-of-court deal with Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric.

But there was little else for Pulis to smile about as Stoke lost their seventh game in succession.

Bulgarian coach Plamen Markov was among another capacity crowd to eye Pompey striker Todorov ahead of Bulgaria's friendly against Spain on Wednesday.

In an uninspired and generally disjoined first-half Todorov was unlucky not to add to his seven-goal tally for the campaign, along with Matthew Taylor looking the best on show.

Pompey edged in front on 49 minutes as Burchill pounced to volley home a Harper cross for his fourth goal in as many starts.

City still attempted to play constructive football through midfield, but they were caught out by a lightning Pompey attack as Kevin Harper fed Burchill, whose low cross was met by Todorov with a first time shot that crashed against the top of the bar and over.

Pericard replaced Burchill and he and Todorov both found the net late on to confirm the home side's dominance throughout.

MAN OF THE MATCH MATTHEW TAYLOR

A constant threat down the left.

PORTSMOUTH: Hislop 6, Primus 6, De Zeeuw 7, Foxe 6, Harper 7, Diabate 6, Merson 7, Quashie 7, TAYLOR 8, Todorov 7, Burchill 6 (Pericard 6).

STOKE: Cutler 6, Thomas 6, Clarke 6, Handyside 7, Marteinsson 6, Henry 6, Gunnarsson 7, Gudjonsson 7, O'Connor 6, Hoekstra 7, Mooney 7.

MANAGER RATINGS: Redknapp 7; Pulis 6.

REFEREE: P Taylor 6.

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