|
James wins on 500th appearance
23/02/2008 20:37 - (SA)
Portsmouth - Portsmouth keeper David James's 500th Premier League appearance was marked in fitting fashion when his side carved out a 1-0 win against Sunderland at Fratton Park on Saturday.
However, in terms of entertainment value, the game struggled to do justice to the durable England keeper's personal milestone.
The easily forgettable first half produced just two shots on target with the level of football more faltering than flowing.
Things improved after the break with the second half only minutes old when James' opposite number Craig Gordon was called into action to save Jermain Defoe's volley from the centre of the penalty area.
The former Tottenham striker was back in Harry Redknapp's starting line up after being Cup-tied for last weekend's FA Cup tie with Preston, while Andy Reid started for Sunderland with Dwight Yorke having recovered from a calf injury on the bench.
In the 69th minute Portsmouth gave James the perfect anniversary present when Defoe converted a penalty awarded after Croatian Nico Kranjcar was brought down by Phil Bardsley.
The result pushed Portsmouth above Manchester City into seventh with Sunderland dropping one place to lie sixth from bottom.
- AFP
|
