Manchester City against Portsmouth

Boateng and Utaka with an impressive interchange but Toure traks back and prevents Utaka from getting a shot in.

There have now been 45 goals scored in City's past 12 Premier League matches. Always good value!

Great chance. Wilson struck it straight to the feet of Piquionne but he wasn't ready for it and the ball deflects off him, into Given's hands.

O'Hara plays Utaka in down the right and Portsmouth have a corner.

Debut for the former Arsenal striker, though I think it is a little late to make a difference in this contest.

POMPEY SUB: Owusu-Abeiye on for Boateng.

Another specuaaltive effort, this time from Boateng. His optimism is admirable but his shooting...not so much. Well over the bar.

City free-kick down the right, won by Tevez. Garrido places it but his effort hasn't even made it into the box.

Pompey have not won away at City since August 1963, losing 10 and drawing five of the 15 visits in the interim.

Easily cleared by Ben Haim.

A let-off there for Pompey and Bellamy is ruuning Vanden Borre ragged down the left. His chasing down has won a corner this time, which he will take.

He's hit the post! Bellamy again down the left is the creator. He pulls it back to Tevez who creates some space with a wonderful touch but surprisingly he's crashed his shot against the post.

Pure class from Tevez!

Lovely play by Bellamy down the right as he just flicks it over Vanden Borre, plays a one-two with Adebayor and accelerates to the by-line. Unfortunately no end product.

Basinas corner is hoofed away by Boyata.

Free-kick for Pompey and it's O'Hara to take. He spreads it left to Finnan who in turn gives it to Boateng. Corner now,

POMPEY SUB: Piquionne on for Webber.

Just checked Pompey's website and it's still up and running, even giving live updates of the game!

Adebayor gives it away extremely cheaply in midfield and O'Hara tried to thread it throught o the mercurial Webber. Good defending by Boyata though.

A first touch for Bellamy as he advances down the left. He touches it to Garrido who is fouled by Boateng. The late challenge is punished with a booking.

Big round of applause for Bellamy and he will certainly be a danger on the break for City.

CITY SUB: Bellamy on for Petrov

Boateng trying to conjure something for Portsmouth but he's tackled well by Ireland.

Pompey have lost 10 of their 11 matches against top-half opponents this season - the worst record in the division. The exception was the 2-0 win over Liverpool in December.

Craig Bellamy about to be introduced.

Speculative effort from Petrov from 30 yards out. He's had a few strikes on goal today but none have looked like troubling David James.

Pompey have pressed well so far in this half and are battling hard, but you feel City have the quality to potentially rip them apart ont he counter attack.

Boateng's effort, 30 yards high and over.

Free-kick now for Pompey, 30 yards out and central.

Complete mis-kick from Danny Webber. A fantastic strike from Basinas was palmed away by Given aand Webber had an opening but basically tripped over the ball. Not good. At all.

Pompey have scored 19 league goals this season - along with Wolves that is the worst return in the Premier League.

Good strike from Petrov but it was 30 yards out and it was comfortable enough for James.

Adebayor, still hugging the left touchline, knocks it in to Tevez who wins a free-kick after a run which looke dlike it was just ending up down a blind alley.

O'Hara flights one in towards Webber but it's cleared by Toure and City break now with Adebayor down the left.

Late challenge from De Jong and he has got a booking for his troubles. It was a 50-50 with Hayden Mullins (there he is again)and it could have gone either way really, it was a heavy clash.

Onuoha again getting in a good advanced position down the right but the final ball is just lacking.

City fans urging some urgency and Onuoha obliges by accelerating past Finnan down the right and pulling the ball back. It's a bit short though and Wilson is able to hoof it to safety.

So Mancini gives the youngster a chance, he played pretty well against Manchester United on Wendesday and this will be a significantly easier test for the Belgian.

Forced sub for City: Boyata on for Kompany.

Avram Grant's side continuing to press and it doesn;t help City that Kompany is holding his groin in some discomfort.

We're at exactly 50-50 possession at the moment in the second half. I reckon Mancini will be tempted to introduce Bellamy and/or Wright-Phillips soon.

Basinas corner comes out to Mullins (yes, he is playing)but it's dragged sideways. i think it was a shot, but it almost went behind him. Oh well, at least he's got himself a mention.

Portsmouth corner now and this is good pressure from the south coast side. O'Hara, Utaka and Boateng have sprung into life.

Fantastic play from O'Hara again, he exchanges passes with Boateng and the English midfielder struck a low effort from about 25 yards out. If it was on target Given probably would have been beaten but it's edged just wide of the post.

Basinas takes and Ben Haim has clashed with Kompany. The City player is still on the deck but Toure booted it out to safety.

A heavy touch from Ireland gives the ball away and Vanden Boore accelerates dwon the right. Switched across to Boateng who tries some Ronald-esque stepovers. But Toure doesn't take any nonsense and clears it out for a corner.

Portsmouth have only earned two points from losing positions this season.

Petrov picks up the ball down the right and cuts inside to make some space. He exchanges passes beautifully with tevez but there's no one around to get on the end of the argentina striker's low cross.

Basinas takes but it's another poor delivery from Pompey.

Great pace from Utaka on the break for Pompey, he sweeps past Toure but the City captain slides in with a perfectly timed challenge. Corner.

He's won it back, chasing down Garrido right in the corner of City's half. But it's given away and City stride forward.

O'Hara has blooked busy in midfield, he could be a crucial player in pompey's bid for survival.

City free-kick now after Vanden Borre brings down Tevez. it's whipped in but it's too high for Adebayor.

He does indeed have a go and it takes an awkward bounce justi n front of Given but the City keeper handles it well and holds onto it.

Free-kick though, which O'Hara is going to take. It's about 35 yards out but he may fancy having a go.

At this stage last season Pompey were losing 2-0 and they ended up conceding six!

And we're off for the second half...

HALF-TIME: MAN CITY 2-0 PORTSMOUTH. A poor performance really from City but they find themselves two goals to the good. Portsmouth battled well but it was two defensive errors that cost them and they have an uphill task now. Grab a cup of tea and join me again in 15 minutes for the second half.

And there's the half-time whistle...

Just before that there was a fantastic bit of skill from Tevez to play Garrido through and he claimed a penalty but it was a soft appeal. The ball broke to Tevez who shot and James spilled it out for an unecessary corner - the corner that brought the goal.

MAN CITY 2-O POMPEY. Excellent delivery from Petrov and poor marking from Ben-Haim. It's a really powerful header from Kompany and finally City take advantage of a set-piece.

GOAL! Kompany.

Poor challenge and it's a yellow card for Basinas.

Throw-in for Pompey inside the City hald. O'Hara takes it and links up well with Basinas before trying to thread the ball through to webber. It's intercepted though and as the ball comes out Basinas slides through De Jong.

Portsmouth look to boot it long but it's collected and City come back on the attack with Ireland who scoops a left foot cross-field pass high and out for a throw-in.

Frustration written all over Avram Grant's face. It looked like Pompey were organised but it was poor defending.

That's Adebayor's 7th league goal of the season. I said he ahdn't been in the game but that was all he needed - one shot one goal!

MAN CITY 1-0 POMPEY. De Jong looks long and this time it has worked. Adebayor straight down the middle takes one touch before rifling a right foot foot effort past James. Great finish and though pompey claim offside, Vanden Borre was playing him on.

GOAL! Adebayor.

It's been a bit disjointed from City so far and I'm sure Mancini will ahve some stern words at half-time.

CITY SUB: Onuoha on for Zabaleta

Vanden Borre with some great down the right, plays it in to Webber who backheels into the path of the right back. His effort loops onto the bar. City were at sixes and sevens there.

Great chance for Pompey!

Adebayor and Tevez both down the right. They combine well but surely one of them should be in the box. Petrov was in their alone with five Pompey shirts around him.

Again City not quite being patient enough. Good possession but then Kompany fires it long for Garrido...too long though.

Zabaleta off to get treated and City are back on the attack with Ireland.

Zabaleta has taken a knock to the face. Boateng smashed him with his arm but it was no Rio Ferdinand and was definitely accidental. There is however, quite a lot of blood!

City are unbeaten in their last 13 home league matches since a 3-1 defeat by Fulham in April (W10, D3). If they avoid defeat on Sunday it will be their longest unbeaten top-flight run since an 18-match streak ended in September 1981.

Petrov's corner is into a dangerous area but Kompany's header is a disappointing one. A first decent delivery and he should have done better.

Rapid break from City and Adebayor shows some pace to force a corner straight down the other end.

O'Hara takes but it's straight into the grateful grasp of Shay Given.

Webber wins a free-kick after Garrido brings him down. Dangerous position on the right-hand side of the box.

City have scored in their last 20 league matches at the City of Manchester Stadium. If they score against Portsmouth it will be their longest goal-scoring run since 1958.

Craig Bellamy in bright yellow boots is skipping down the touchline. Surely no need for him yet?!

The left-back has been struggling ever since he stretched for a long ball earlier on.

POMPEY SUB: Finnan on for Hreidarsson

Tevez down the right crosses towards Ireland who controls it, with a suspicion of handball, before striking it with his left-foot. Saved by James who looked like he'd spilled it at first but reclaims the ball.

Adebayor chases dow a long ball and shows good strength down the left. It's switched to Zabaleta who searches for Petrov in the box but it's away.

It comes back out to Petrov who hits a low, fizzing left foot effort from 30 yards. It's a good strike but James has it covered and watches it go wide.

Petrov lines it up. But it's into the wall who have done their job successfully.

Free-kick in a dangerous position, just right of centre and 25 yards out. Wilson booked.

So after an exciting opening from Pompey they are sitting right back now and inviting City to attack. tevez accelerates past Wilson and he's brought down on the edge of the area.

Petrov is playing out on the right at the moment, looking to cut in where possible. But he hasn't really made too much impact as yet.

Corner cleared, deliveries from both sides have been poor thus far.

Petrov takes it and Kompany's header almost goes out for throw but fantastically retrieved by Toure who slides in, collects the ball, drops a shoulder to get past Basinas and then wins another corner. Excellent from the captain.

Tevez is released down the left and he has won a corner for City.

City happy to keep possession but not much progress being made and Pompey are looking organised.

Foul on Barry by Basinas and it's a City free-kick inside the centre circle.

Delivery is deflected out for a corner but Basinas's effort is easily cleared.

Free-kick for Pompey just inside the City half. Incidentally, the referee is Martin Atkinson, whose last match involving City was...The 4-3 Manchester derby defeat.

Utaka shows good strength to hold off De Jong but he's like a little terrier and just keeps biting at his heels until he wins the ball back.

Finally a touch for Adebayor as he holds the ball up well. City starting to pick the pace up and keeping it on the ground. Adebayor's now coming deeper so he can be more involved.

Barry's corner cleared away.

Here come Pompey again but it's given away cheaply. Barry picks it up and releases Ireland, whose strike loops out for a corner.

Portsmouth have not won in their last 15 league visits to Manchester City, dating back to August 1963 (D5, L10). It is over 55 years since Portsmouth last won a top-flight match at City

They must have heard me because they've strung an excellent move together. Zabaleta Tevez and Ireland involved. they interchange passes on the edge of the area but Zabaleta can't manufacture a cross.

Again, long balls being played by City despite the fact they have excellent technical players.

Very surprised with how well Portsmouth are doing, they've definitely been the best side in he opening ten minutes. I don't think I've even seen Adebayor touch the ball yet.

Foul against Webber in midfield and a quick long ball to Hreidarsson is a little too long for the galloping left-back.

The Eastlands crowd begins to roar but let out a simultaneous groan as De Jong lumps it long to interrupt a decent spell of possession.

Pompey with a corner now. Basinas takes it short to the returning Jamie O'Hara who strikes an impressive effort with his left foot, but it's collected by Shay Given.

Had another look at that Garrido foul and I think he's a luck boy. There's a shoulder barge and then there's just assault. Ok so it wasn't quite that bad but penalty it could have been.

Barry advances down the left and works some space but is tackled before he can get a cross in. Pompey break again but Boateng produces a lazy back-heel and it's broken down again.

Hreidarsson plays it across to Webber in the peanlty area who has taken a shove in the back from Garrido but no decision from the ref.

City looking a little sparse in the middle of the park and Pompey finding some space.

Webber fouls Garrido, high foot.

He palms it to Utaka but it's ballooned over the bar. Think the sun was in Given's eyes there.

O'Hara to Boateng and he plays it through to Webber down the right. He crosses it in and Given has messed up that cross!

Utaka strides throught he middle on the break at pace and he's released Webber who can't quite get onto it. Ireland shepherds him out.

Petrov takes and he gets a second bite of the cherry but it's cleared out.

Tevez and Zabaleta link up early on down the right and Tevez has forced a corner.

A first start in the Premier League today for Vanden Borre at right-back for City.

And we're off...

Frederic Piquionne and Kevin-Prince Boateng are Pompey's leading scorers this season with ten between them (three each in the league).

Pompey are still struggling financially and they have failed to pay their players on time for the fourth month in a row. Striker Aruna Dindane has moved to Birmingham and so it's up to former Manchester United striker Danny Webber to lead Avram Grant's line at Eastlands.

Tevez scored again on Wednesday against his former club Manchester United but he couldn't prevent defeat at Old Trafford. City are still in contention for FA Cup glory and they are well in the hunt for fourth spot, with three games in hand on Spurs and Liverpool.

So, Emmanuel Adebayor is back in for City and David James is back in for Portsmouth. Big boost for Pompey but they wiill have their work cut out to keep the Togo captain and, of course, the irrepressible Caros Tevez at bay.

Subs: Ashdown, Piquionne, Finnan, Hughes, Owusu-Abeyie, Ritchie, Sowah.

PORTSMOUTH: James, Vanden Borre, Ben-Haim, Wilson, Hreidarsson, Mullins, Basinas, Jamie O'Hara, Webber, Utaka, Boateng.

Subs: Taylor, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Sylvinho, Bellamy, Boyata, Ibrahim.

MANCHESTER CIY: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Garrido, De Jong,Ireland, Barry, Petrov, Tevez, Adebayor.

With less than ten minutes until kick-off the team news is in...

Hello everyone and welcome to the Premier League's very own rags v riches encounter. Cash-strapped Portsmouth are at Eastlands to take on cash-rich Manchester City. Surely there's only one possible result?

POMPEY SUB: Piquionne on for Webber.

Just checked Pompey's website and it's still up and running, even giving live updates of the game!

Adebayor gives it away extremely cheaply in midfield and O'Hara tried to thread it throught o the mercurial Webber. Good defending by Boyata though.

A first touch for Bellamy as he advances down the left. He touches it to Garrido who is fouled by Boateng. The late challenge is punished with a booking.

Big round of applause for Bellamy and he will certainly be a danger on the break for City.

CITY SUB: Bellamy on for Petrov

Boateng trying to conjure something for Portsmouth but he's tackled well by Ireland.

Pompey have lost 10 of their 11 matches against top-half opponents this season - the worst record in the division. The exception was the 2-0 win over Liverpool in December.

Craig Bellamy about to be introduced.

Speculative effort from Petrov from 30 yards out. He's had a few strikes on goal today but none have looked like troubling David James.

Pompey have pressed well so far in this half and are battling hard, but you feel City have the quality to potentially rip them apart ont he counter attack.

Boateng's effort, 30 yards high and over.

Free-kick now for Pompey, 30 yards out and central.

Complete mis-kick from Danny Webber. A fantastic strike from Basinas was palmed away by Given aand Webber had an opening but basically tripped over the ball. Not good. At all.

Pompey have scored 19 league goals this season - along with Wolves that is the worst return in the Premier League.

Good strike from Petrov but it was 30 yards out and it was comfortable enough for James.

Adebayor, still hugging the left touchline, knocks it in to Tevez who wins a free-kick after a run which looke dlike it was just ending up down a blind alley.

O'Hara flights one in towards Webber but it's cleared by Toure and City break now with Adebayor down the left.

Late challenge from De Jong and he has got a booking for his troubles. It was a 50-50 with Hayden Mullins (there he is again)and it could have gone either way really, it was a heavy clash.

Onuoha again getting in a good advanced position down the right but the final ball is just lacking.

City fans urging some urgency and Onuoha obliges by accelerating past Finnan down the right and pulling the ball back. It's a bit short though and Wilson is able to hoof it to safety.

So Mancini gives the youngster a chance, he played pretty well against Manchester United on Wendesday and this will be a significantly easier test for the Belgian.

Forced sub for City: Boyata on for Kompany.

Avram Grant's side continuing to press and it doesn;t help City that Kompany is holding his groin in some discomfort.

We're at exactly 50-50 possession at the moment in the second half. I reckon Mancini will be tempted to introduce Bellamy and/or Wright-Phillips soon.

Basinas corner comes out to Mullins (yes, he is playing)but it's dragged sideways. i think it was a shot, but it almost went behind him. Oh well, at least he's got himself a mention.

Portsmouth corner now and this is good pressure from the south coast side. O'Hara, Utaka and Boateng have sprung into life.

Fantastic play from O'Hara again, he exchanges passes with Boateng and the English midfielder struck a low effort from about 25 yards out. If it was on target Given probably would have been beaten but it's edged just wide of the post.

Basinas takes and Ben Haim has clashed with Kompany. The City player is still on the deck but Toure booted it out to safety.

A heavy touch from Ireland gives the ball away and Vanden Boore accelerates dwon the right. Switched across to Boateng who tries some Ronald-esque stepovers. But Toure doesn't take any nonsense and clears it out for a corner.

Portsmouth have only earned two points from losing positions this season.

Petrov picks up the ball down the right and cuts inside to make some space. He exchanges passes beautifully with tevez but there's no one around to get on the end of the argentina striker's low cross.

Basinas takes but it's another poor delivery from Pompey.

Great pace from Utaka on the break for Pompey, he sweeps past Toure but the City captain slides in with a perfectly timed challenge. Corner.

He's won it back, chasing down Garrido right in the corner of City's half. But it's given away and City stride forward.

O'Hara has blooked busy in midfield, he could be a crucial player in pompey's bid for survival.

City free-kick now after Vanden Borre brings down Tevez. it's whipped in but it's too high for Adebayor.

He does indeed have a go and it takes an awkward bounce justi n front of Given but the City keeper handles it well and holds onto it.

Free-kick though, which O'Hara is going to take. It's about 35 yards out but he may fancy having a go.

At this stage last season Pompey were losing 2-0 and they ended up conceding six!

And we're off for the second half...

HALF-TIME: MAN CITY 2-0 PORTSMOUTH. A poor performance really from City but they find themselves two goals to the good. Portsmouth battled well but it was two defensive errors that cost them and they have an uphill task now. Grab a cup of tea and join me again in 15 minutes for the second half.

And there's the half-time whistle...

Just before that there was a fantastic bit of skill from Tevez to play Garrido through and he claimed a penalty but it was a soft appeal. The ball broke to Tevez who shot and James spilled it out for an unecessary corner - the corner that brought the goal.

MAN CITY 2-O POMPEY. Excellent delivery from Petrov and poor marking from Ben-Haim. It's a really powerful header from Kompany and finally City take advantage of a set-piece.

GOAL! Kompany.

Poor challenge and it's a yellow card for Basinas.

Throw-in for Pompey inside the City hald. O'Hara takes it and links up well with Basinas before trying to thread the ball through to webber. It's intercepted though and as the ball comes out Basinas slides through De Jong.

Portsmouth look to boot it long but it's collected and City come back on the attack with Ireland who scoops a left foot cross-field pass high and out for a throw-in.

Frustration written all over Avram Grant's face. It looked like Pompey were organised but it was poor defending.

That's Adebayor's 7th league goal of the season. I said he ahdn't been in the game but that was all he needed - one shot one goal!

MAN CITY 1-0 POMPEY. De Jong looks long and this time it has worked. Adebayor straight down the middle takes one touch before rifling a right foot foot effort past James. Great finish and though pompey claim offside, Vanden Borre was playing him on.

GOAL! Adebayor.

It's been a bit disjointed from City so far and I'm sure Mancini will ahve some stern words at half-time.

CITY SUB: Onuoha on for Zabaleta

Vanden Borre with some great down the right, plays it in to Webber who backheels into the path of the right back. His effort loops onto the bar. City were at sixes and sevens there.

Great chance for Pompey!

Adebayor and Tevez both down the right. They combine well but surely one of them should be in the box. Petrov was in their alone with five Pompey shirts around him.

Again City not quite being patient enough. Good possession but then Kompany fires it long for Garrido...too long though.

Zabaleta off to get treated and City are back on the attack with Ireland.

Zabaleta has taken a knock to the face. Boateng smashed him with his arm but it was no Rio Ferdinand and was definitely accidental. There is however, quite a lot of blood!

City are unbeaten in their last 13 home league matches since a 3-1 defeat by Fulham in April (W10, D3). If they avoid defeat on Sunday it will be their longest unbeaten top-flight run since an 18-match streak ended in September 1981.

Petrov's corner is into a dangerous area but Kompany's header is a disappointing one. A first decent delivery and he should have done better.

Rapid break from City and Adebayor shows some pace to force a corner straight down the other end.

O'Hara takes but it's straight into the grateful grasp of Shay Given.

Webber wins a free-kick after Garrido brings him down. Dangerous position on the right-hand side of the box.

City have scored in their last 20 league matches at the City of Manchester Stadium. If they score against Portsmouth it will be their longest goal-scoring run since 1958.

Craig Bellamy in bright yellow boots is skipping down the touchline. Surely no need for him yet?!

The left-back has been struggling ever since he stretched for a long ball earlier on.

POMPEY SUB: Finnan on for Hreidarsson

Tevez down the right crosses towards Ireland who controls it, with a suspicion of handball, before striking it with his left-foot. Saved by James who looked like he'd spilled it at first but reclaims the ball.

Adebayor chases dow a long ball and shows good strength down the left. It's switched to Zabaleta who searches for Petrov in the box but it's away.

It comes back out to Petrov who hits a low, fizzing left foot effort from 30 yards. It's a good strike but James has it covered and watches it go wide.

Petrov lines it up. But it's into the wall who have done their job successfully.

Free-kick in a dangerous position, just right of centre and 25 yards out. Wilson booked.

So after an exciting opening from Pompey they are sitting right back now and inviting City to attack. tevez accelerates past Wilson and he's brought down on the edge of the area.

Petrov is playing out on the right at the moment, looking to cut in where possible. But he hasn't really made too much impact as yet.

Corner cleared, deliveries from both sides have been poor thus far.

Petrov takes it and Kompany's header almost goes out for throw but fantastically retrieved by Toure who slides in, collects the ball, drops a shoulder to get past Basinas and then wins another corner. Excellent from the captain.

Tevez is released down the left and he has won a corner for City.

City happy to keep possession but not much progress being made and Pompey are looking organised.

Foul on Barry by Basinas and it's a City free-kick inside the centre circle.

Delivery is deflected out for a corner but Basinas's effort is easily cleared.

Free-kick for Pompey just inside the City half. Incidentally, the referee is Martin Atkinson, whose last match involving City was...The 4-3 Manchester derby defeat.

Utaka shows good strength to hold off De Jong but he's like a little terrier and just keeps biting at his heels until he wins the ball back.

Finally a touch for Adebayor as he holds the ball up well. City starting to pick the pace up and keeping it on the ground. Adebayor's now coming deeper so he can be more involved.

Barry's corner cleared away.

Here come Pompey again but it's given away cheaply. Barry picks it up and releases Ireland, whose strike loops out for a corner.

Portsmouth have not won in their last 15 league visits to Manchester City, dating back to August 1963 (D5, L10). It is over 55 years since Portsmouth last won a top-flight match at City

They must have heard me because they've strung an excellent move together. Zabaleta Tevez and Ireland involved. they interchange passes on the edge of the area but Zabaleta can't manufacture a cross.

Again, long balls being played by City despite the fact they have excellent technical players.

Very surprised with how well Portsmouth are doing, they've definitely been the best side in he opening ten minutes. I don't think I've even seen Adebayor touch the ball yet.

Foul against Webber in midfield and a quick long ball to Hreidarsson is a little too long for the galloping left-back.

The Eastlands crowd begins to roar but let out a simultaneous groan as De Jong lumps it long to interrupt a decent spell of possession.

Pompey with a corner now. Basinas takes it short to the returning Jamie O'Hara who strikes an impressive effort with his left foot, but it's collected by Shay Given.

Had another look at that Garrido foul and I think he's a luck boy. There's a shoulder barge and then there's just assault. Ok so it wasn't quite that bad but penalty it could have been.

Barry advances down the left and works some space but is tackled before he can get a cross in. Pompey break again but Boateng produces a lazy back-heel and it's broken down again.

Hreidarsson plays it across to Webber in the peanlty area who has taken a shove in the back from Garrido but no decision from the ref.

City looking a little sparse in the middle of the park and Pompey finding some space.

Webber fouls Garrido, high foot.

He palms it to Utaka but it's ballooned over the bar. Think the sun was in Given's eyes there.

O'Hara to Boateng and he plays it through to Webber down the right. He crosses it in and Given has messed up that cross!

Utaka strides throught he middle on the break at pace and he's released Webber who can't quite get onto it. Ireland shepherds him out.

Petrov takes and he gets a second bite of the cherry but it's cleared out.

Tevez and Zabaleta link up early on down the right and Tevez has forced a corner.

A first start in the Premier League today for Vanden Borre at right-back for City.

And we're off...

Frederic Piquionne and Kevin-Prince Boateng are Pompey's leading scorers this season with ten between them (three each in the league).

Pompey are still struggling financially and they have failed to pay their players on time for the fourth month in a row. Striker Aruna Dindane has moved to Birmingham and so it's up to former Manchester United striker Danny Webber to lead Avram Grant's line at Eastlands.

Tevez scored again on Wednesday against his former club Manchester United but he couldn't prevent defeat at Old Trafford. City are still in contention for FA Cup glory and they are well in the hunt for fourth spot, with three games in hand on Spurs and Liverpool.

So, Emmanuel Adebayor is back in for City and David James is back in for Portsmouth. Big boost for Pompey but they wiill have their work cut out to keep the Togo captain and, of course, the irrepressible Caros Tevez at bay.

Subs: Ashdown, Piquionne, Finnan, Hughes, Owusu-Abeyie, Ritchie, Sowah.

PORTSMOUTH: James, Vanden Borre, Ben-Haim, Wilson, Hreidarsson, Mullins, Basinas, Jamie O'Hara, Webber, Utaka, Boateng.

Subs: Taylor, Onuoha, Wright-Phillips, Sylvinho, Bellamy, Boyata, Ibrahim.

MANCHESTER CIY: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Garrido, De Jong,Ireland, Barry, Petrov, Tevez, Adebayor.

With less than ten minutes until kick-off the team news is in...

Hello everyone and welcome to the Premier League's very own rags v riches encounter. Cash-strapped Portsmouth are at Eastlands to take on cash-rich Manchester City. Surely there's only one possible result?