It was a miserable afternoon for Pompey against West Ham as the Londoners came from behind to take all three points at Fratton Park.
Belhadj’s opener was cancelled out by Jack Collison and after Defoe missed a penalty, the Hammers struck three second-half goals to leave the Blues reeling. Pompey took the lead on 8 minutes. Little’s cross from the right was headed down by Crouch for Belhadj to sweep home. West Ham looked to hit back immediately and Wilson was forced to deflect Collison’s angled shot behind for a corner. Collison did level the scores on 20 minutes, collecting a low cross from Carlton Cole and drilling in a shot that went straight through the legs of both Distin and James. Pompey were awarded a penalty in stoppage time when Lucas Neill pulled Crouch to the floor. Defoe stepped up to take the spot-kick but fired a tame effort wide of the post. The second half saw Bellamy break quickly from his own half and feed Collison. His shot cannoned back off the post and the ball landed right at the feet of Cole, who had the simple task of finishing from close range. Bellamy’s pace again left Belhadj and Hughes for dead and although he was dispossessed by James, the Welsh striker composed himself and slammed home the loose ball. It got even worse or the Blues on 83 minutes when the impressive Bellamy added another with a neat finish into the bottom corner.

Pompey looked on course for a point at the Emirates Stadium but were undone by a late William Gallas goal.
Nugent had an early chance but his scuffed drive was easily held by Manuel Almunia. On 24 minutes Crouch headed against the post. Arsenal went even closer minutes later. Emmanuel Adebayor rounded James and had an empty net to shoot into, but Distin’s sliding tackle cleared the ball behind for a corner.
The deadlock was almost broken within 2 minutes of the restart when Nicklas Bendtner’s header was cleared off the line by Distin. Adebayor then found the side netting with an angled drive as the Gunners looked to push forward and attack at every opportunity. The Blues keeper had to be alert again on 73 minutes however, racing off his line to block Nasri’s low shot. It looked as though the Blues had done enough to win a point but on 81 minutes Gallas met Nasri’s cross and headed home for the hosts. They should have extended their advantage moments later but Adebayor just failed to connect with a low cross.