It is the third home win in a row for the second string and a welcome 90 minutes for James Tomkins also stood out on a freezing night. Lopez had made it with a strong run down the left before squaring to the young striker. He took a touch and blasted it goalwards but the shot was blocked and then cleared. It is his last contribution before making way for Tom Harvey.
He just cannot keep the ball in play though. He shoots but Begovic flings out a palm to push it to safety. From the corner, Stanislas again cuts in and then shoots wide. His free header is good but Lastuvka is equal to it. The Czech then shows quick thinking to claim an attempted chip from the same player, rushing out to close the angle.
The Uruguayan has not shirked a tackle tonight but just mis-timed that one. The keeper was always confident though. Lopez then breaks forward with a surging run. We are into double figures now with passes, good football all round although Portsmouth regroup and eventually get the ball away just as it nears the penalty area. A quick counter finishes with Reid firing in on goal but Begovic saves. The youngster makes space before having a go.
His shot is deflected behind for a corner. Reid takes but the ball is comfortably claimed by Begovic. The No9's effort was cleared for a corner. From that, Davenport flicks to the back post and Tristan again has a go, only to be frustrated again. Good play all round.
Portsmouth try and get going again through Blackman. He surges forward but Reid tracks back and times his tackle well. He shakes off the knock though and is involved in another attack. Mark Smith is replacing him. The ball is cleared for a corner that comes to nothing. The No8 had connected well and it was travelling. Lopez just fails to squeeze the ball through. Portsmouth launch a counter but O'Neill brings it to an end with a foul.
