Gunners held by Pompey

Wednesday, 12, Apr 2006 11:05

Portsmouth gained a vital point in their fight against relegation as they drew 1-1 with Arsenal at Fratton Park.

Lomana LuaLua's second-half equaliser rescued a point for Pompey but Arsenal should have been taken all three points but Emmanuel Adebayor missed two simple chances.

Both sides were desperate for three points, with Arsenal chasing Tottenham for the fourth Champions League spot and Pompey battling relegation, but Arsenal displayed greater attacking prowess in the opening exchanges.

Thierry Henry, returning to the starting line-up after being left on the substitutes' bench for the game against Manchester United on Sunday, got on the end of Jose Antonio Reyes' long ball on 16 minutes but his effort was blocked by Pompey captain Dejan Stefanovic.

Freddie Ljungberg should have won a penalty for the away side soon after as Matthew Taylor brought him down but despite contact being made, the Swede was booked for complaining.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said in the build-up to the game that he didn't know how his side would cope with Henry and he gave Arsenal the lead on 36 minutes with a majestic goal.

Henry exchanged passes with Adebayor before shaking off the challenges of four defenders to slam the ball past Dean Kiely.

They should have been two-up just before the break but after good play from Reyes and Henry, Adebayor fluffed his shot wide from two yards.

Portsmouth created a couple of good chances, with Stefanovic heading wide from a good position, which Adebayor missed another fantastic opportunity when he headed wide when unmarked from close range.

However, LuaLua levelled on 66 minutes when he headed home Andres D'Alessandro's free-kick.

Sol Campbell lasted 89 minutes on his return to first-team action before sustaining his second facial injury of the game and was substituted.