Pompey out Foxed by veteran striker Ferdinand
Portsmouth 0 Leicester 1 [ Saturday 29 November 2003 ]
A fifth goal in eight starts for evergreen striker Les Ferdiand propelled Leicester towards victory at Fratton Park.
Foxes box Micky Adams was delighted with his side's defensive display, but he also had a word of praise for his veteran front man, who turns 37 next month.
Ferdinand blasted Leicester into the lead with a blistering free-kick and his strike partner Marcus Bent doubled the score from close range.
The Foxes just about deserved their second away victory of the season, but they had to weather a second-half fightback from Pompey whose creativity was left down by some sloppy finishing.
It was last season's top two in Division One renewing hostilities in the Barclaycard Premiersip. The Foxes took four points from Pompey last term and their grip continued.
The Division One champions laid siege to Leicester's goal for long periods after the interval with Steve Stone and Tim Sherwood both going close, but their opponenents' defence held firm throughout.
Pompey have had few problems scoring at Fratton Park - along with South Londoners Chelsea they are the only team to average more than two home goals a game so far this season, but they struggled to finish a hatful of chances. Instead, it was Leicester who showed the killer instinct after claiming two goals even though they barely created a decent chance all match.
They have now won their last two matches on the road to complete a remarkable turnaround in away form - prior to the 3-0 victory over Manchester City three weeks ago they had not won on their travels this season.
Portsmouth (4-4-2)
Wapenaar, Zivkovic, Foxe (Taylor 65), Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Stone, Sherwood, Smertin, Berger, Sheringham, Ayegbini.
Subs (not used) Burton, Schemmel, Primus, Srnicek.
Booked De Zeeuw, Smertin, Berger, Ayegbeni, McKinlay, Sheringham.
Leicester (4-4-2)
Walker, Curtis, Scimeca, Howey, Thatcher, Scowcroft, Izzet, McKinlay, Stewart, Ferdinand (Davidson 81), Bent (Hignett 90).
Subs (not used) Davidson, Hignett, Elliott, Coyne, Gillespie.
Booked McKinlay.