Rooney debacle was the final last straw
Portsmouth 1 Everton 2 [ Saturday 13 December 2003 ]
Pompey seemed to start well with Alexei Smertin rocketing a volley just from the edge of the 18 yard box straight into the chest of Nigel Martyn. The Blues' dominance paid off as they went ahead just after 16 minutes.
Teddy Sheringham slotted a neat pass through to Roberts who side-footed past Martyn from 12 yards.
Enter Wayne Rooney and Everton almost immediately equalised. Following a lengthy period of heavy tackling Naysmith cut in on goal from the left and rather than shoot himself, cut Srnicek out of the play by squaring for Carsley to fire the ball home on the strike of the 27th minute.
After 42 minutes Srnicek handed Rooney a goal on a plate. Launching off his line he flapped at Naysmith's whipped cross from the left and palmed the ball straight into Rooney's path at the far post. The England star smashed a blistering shot back into the goalmouth and Srnicek could only get a hand to the ball as it rocketed into the back of the net like a missile.
Moyes' men were close to making it 3-1 five minutes after the interval.
Rooney returned Kevin Kilbane's deep cross to the six-yard box and strike partner Radzinski was crowded out as he attempted to divert the ball over the line.
Aiyebeni was then unfortunately unable to capitalise on a wonderful opportunity to haul Pompey back on level terms in the 64th minute. A blinding error by Alan Stubbs allowed the striker to latch onto Sheringham's pass - but he dallied and his eventual shot clipped David Unsworth's heels and brushed the wrong side of the post.
An amazing incident occured after 72 minutes when Rooney squared up to Stone after a block tackle involving the pair in the centre circle, Rooney over-reacted by pushing the Pompey man to the turf.
With every Pompey fan in the stadium chanting for Rooney's dismissal, referee Uriah Rennie slowly reached for his pocket, Rooney clearly believeing that he was going to be sent off started to walk towards the tunnel, only to be called back on the pitch by Campbell following the showing of a Yellow card - surely one of the most diabolical referring decisions likely to be seen this season!
Having fallen behind due to what can only be described as school boy defending along with the inability once again to capitalise on clear chances Pompey were unable to eqalise.
Portsmouth (4-4-2)
Srnicek, Zivkovic, Stefanovic, Foxe, Taylor, Smertin, Stone, Faye, Roberts, Sheringham (Pericard 79), Ayegbini.
Subs (not used) O'Neil, Sherwood, Wapenaar, Primus.
Booked Taylor.
Everton (4-4-2)
Martyn, Unsworth, Naysmith, Stubb, Watson (Rooney 24), Pistone, Kilbane, Gravesen, Carsley, Campbell, Radzinski.
Subs (not used) McFadden, Tie, Jeffers, Simonsen.
Booked Rooney.