Pompey held by Magpies

Honours even at Fratton Park

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Portsmouth missed the chance to make up ground on Everton after being held to a goalless draw by Newcastle at Fratton Park.

A point apiece was a fair result, although both sides had decent chances to get their noses in front.

Pompey wanted a first half penalty when Kanu's shot struck Steven Taylor's foot and bounced up onto his arm, but nothing was given.

Michael Owen had a point-blank effort somehow saved by David James while Jermain Defoe had a couple of half-chances for the home side.

The points ensures Pompey remain five points behind fifth-placed Everton, while Newcastle are 12th on 38 points.

It took 15 minutes for Pompey to find an on-target shot and then Niko Kranjcar's effort was straight at Steve Harper.

Dangerous

Newcastle looked dangerous when Joey Barton led a break from his own half in the 28th minute and glided a pass into Mark Viduka's path on the right but the Australian hit his first time attempt just a little too hard for Obafemi Martins who had made a superb supporting run through the inside left channel.

Pompey lacked width when Papa Bouba Diop and Sulley Muntari tried to thread a move together but Glen Johnson finally provided it with an overlapping run. His 33rd minute cross bounced off Defoe's legs and could have gone anywhere in a crowded six-yard box. Luckily for Newcastle it finished behind the goal.

There were precious few incidents to really excite the noisy fans of both sides, although Martins, always full of running, nearly made an impact in the 38th minute, running at the Pompey defence and then firing powerfully from 20 yards but too high to worry James.

Johnson was booked for a clear trip on Jose Enrique who was racing clear on the left. Then James, who had earlier scuffed an intended clearance for a corner against his own side, carried a freekick over the dead ball line when challenged by Taylor.

Pompey cleared Geremi's flagkick just before half-time and suddenly Kanu was through for a shot which hit Taylor on a heel and skipped up to strike his arm. But referee Phil Dowd deemed the contact accidental.

Taylor, unfazed by the narrow escape and just back in Keegan's side after illness, was involved at the other end almost immediately, connecting with flying volley that bounced just wide from Geremi's cross.

The second half brought more goal-scoring opportunities, but neither side managed to find the back of the net.

Talking points

Defoe's misses were the biggest talking points. He had scored eight goals in seven games before missing the last two matches and looked a certainty to break the deadlock after 52 minutes. Instead he cushioned a volley past a post when left completely unmarked to meet Muntari's cross eight yards out.

Five minutes later when the excellent Glen Johnson came roaring forward and played a one-two with Kanu before firing at goal it was the unwitting Defoe who deflected the shot off target.

The best chance fell to Owen, whose recovery from long-term injury has helped inspire Keegan's side to an unbeaten five-match run, hooked over the bar with only David James to beat in the 72nd minute.

Pompey will take the point - from their 22nd clean sheet of the season - and maintain the status quo with Everton in the race for fifth place in the Premier League. The Merseysiders draw at Birmingham keeps them five points ahead.

And for Keegan it is another positive result for his revival on a ground where few come away with many plusses.