Portsmouth 3, Sunderland 1

May 19 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

THIS grimmest of seasons for North East football will have a macabre conclusion with all three of the region’s Premier League clubs going into the last day nervously facing the drop.

Sunderland were given a perfect opportunity to save themselves from fretting by a Portsmouth side who were lacklustre in the first half. But they waited for their hosts to get their act together before doing likewise. The game was marred by hard luck stories for the Black Cats but they brought their misfortune on themselves. This is what happens to teams who do not take their opportunities, something Sunderland have been guilty of throughout 2009.

There was a lack of intensity about Pompey’s first-half play – unsurprising given their own future was signed, sealed and delivered at the weekend.

Paul Hart ended David James’ record as one of the division’s few ever-presents this season and the friendly atmosphere was highlighted by a musical interchange between the fans.

Each took their turns to urge Alan Shearer to cheer up, adjusting their lyrics to note his Southampton past and Newcastle present. Worryingly for the travelling support, some of those in red and white scarcely looked more motivated.

At that stage, Sunderland seemed content with a point that would make next to no difference to their survival prospects. Lone striker Kenwyne Jones and, behind him, Kieran Richardson looked nothing like the pair who terrorised the same centre-backs from the same positions at the Stadium of Light last season. When a beautiful ball from Nwankwo Kanu came to nothing, Richardson was the beneficiary, only to hoof way beyond Jones, who never pretended to chase it.