Jason Roberts recovered from a bout of swine flu to leave Portsmouth feeling pig-sick at Ewood Park as Blackburn came from behind to claim three priceless Premier League points in a 3-1 win. Rovers had been reeling at the end of a dismal first period in which Jamie O’Hara fired the visitors ahead with a 30-yard strike past Paul Robinson in the 15th minute. But Roberts clambered off the bench at the break to steer a 52nd-minute leveller past David James - and added Rovers’ third after Ryan Nelsen had netted a rare goal to put his side in front.

The win brought sighs of relief all round for the home side - and especially manager Sam Allardyce, whose changes were vindicated despite being greeted with deafening boos at the break. (more…)

Its getting worse for Pedro…from the Daily mail:

Portsmouth Football Club chief executive Peter Storrie has been formally charged with tax evasion.

Prosecutors accused him of concealing a signing-on fee for Amdy Faye by paying it into the midfielder’s bank account during his transfer to the south-coast club from Auxerre in 2003.

Storrie will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 16, a spokesman for HM Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office (RCPO) said.

The alleged £250,000 payment - relating to the player’s transfer to Portsmouth for £1.5m - was made between July 1, 2003 and August 12, 2005. (more…)

Aruna Dindane destroyed Wigan with a superb hat-trick but Paul Hart’s side still remain bottom of the Premier League. Dindane’s treble was accompanied by a goal from strike partner Frederic Piquionne as Pompey scored four goals for the second time this week. However, there was more concern for debt-ridden Pompey when Piquionne was stretchered off in the second half with a head injury.

Wigan were outfought and outplayed throughout and never tested England goalkeeper David James. (more…)

It’s been an incredibly turbulent couple of months for Portsmouth and things won’t be getting easier anytime soon after The Premier League imposed transfer embargo sanctions because of money owed to other clubs.

(more…)

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp made a triumphant return to Fratton Park but Jermain Defoe was sent off for a stamp in the Premier League victory against Portsmouth. After leaving Pompey nearly a year ago, Redknapp eventually took Defoe, Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar with him - and almost inevitably Defoe got on the scoresheet after Ledley King had broken the deadlock. Defoe getting sent off, however, was not in the script - and it set up a thrilling finale after Kevin-Prince Boateng had pulled a goal back, although Pompey had Michael Brown dismissed late on. (more…)

From the “hey, that name sounds familiar” department comes news that former Chelsea head coach (I know, there’s been plenty to remember and forget since The Special One) Avram Grant has taken over the role of Director of Football at Premiership Club Portsmouth, his first job since “leaving” Stamford Bridge.

Maybe someone should just pull current head coach Paul Hart’s car around front and make sure the seat warmer’s been turned on…..

(more…)

Sulaiman al-Fahim’s reign at Portsmouth ended with a whimper after six weeks in control, one that saw issues with Management and a financially disaster close call as the 32 year old sold 90% of the club to Saudi Arabian businessman Ali al-Faraj.

(more…)

Following up on the announcement that they were unable to pay three club executives and first team player wages just a week ago, Portsmouth Chief Executive Peter Storrie has admitted that the club desperately needs at least 30% of the 50 Million Pound new owner Sulaiman al-Fahim has pledged to the club or things will continue to get ugly quickly.

(more…)