Premier League News

Roy's Army are on the march a lot of fans through we had left it late to escape the Premier League trapdoor, I still believed. It was an agonising first seventy six minutes especially as other results were going against us and a long last fourteen but to relive that moment again. Bullard floated in a free kick, Murphy darted in to glance it past Ashdown after which the Super Whites playing in their Red strip instead the expected white as Pompey were oddly playing in their new 2008-2009 away strip never really looked like conceding the lead despite a flurry of Pompey corners and half chances.

It might have been a different story if Ashdown had not pulled off an early save from Davies. Stalteri was immense at right back, Hughes and Hangeland brilliant at central defence coping with Defoe buzzing around. The midfield was solid with most moves played through Bullard, but Murphy dug in fiercely and eventually came up with the goods.

Defoe gave us a nervy moment just before half time lifting a shot over Keller and the bar. Krancjar was effective too. Pompey did miss Sol Campbell and David James, though I doubt even David James would have stopped Murphy's header. The non-firing Baros and Kanu show that a striker must be high on Harry's shopping list this summer.

Hodgson paid tribute to the managers who were not as fortunate as us, making the point that it could really have been any of the three who went down though he rather understated his contribution to our survival. There was certainly more football played in the last two months and the ill fortune that dogged some of the early season results dissipated.

Overall a good day and an excellent result, hopefully next season wont be the roller coaster ride this one has been. West Ham and Newcastle fans may not be happy with midtable but after this season I'll take it with both hands.