Portsmouth put a determined run of type behind them to spice up their hopes of Championship survival with a gritty 1-1 draw at an in-form Norwich facet.
An 84th-minute personal objective from Pelle Mattsson earned the guests a valuable level after the identical participant had additionally opened the scoring for the Canaries halfway by the opening half.
The late leveller was not more than Pompey deserved after taking a single level from their earlier six video games, whereas it ended an excellent residence run from Norwich, who had received their earlier seven matches at Carrow Highway.
After a scrappy begin, Norwich steadily started to take management and Mathias Kvistgaarden was unfortunate when his audacious scissor kick from Paris Maghoma’s header again into the hazard space was deflected simply broad.
Nevertheless, the hosts didn’t have to attend lengthy for the opener, with Mattsson firing residence his second objective in successive video games after 26 minutes.
A ball into the field ought to have been handled by Pompey however Madiodio Dia’s clearance was a poor one and fell properly for the Danish midfielder, who took a few paces ahead earlier than planting his shot firmly into the underside nook.
Portsmouth continued to make a match of it because the half progressed and virtually equalised on the half-hour mark when Marlon Pack’s in-swinging nook hit the upright, prompting a busy goalmouth scramble which ultimately ended with the Canaries hacking the ball clear.
The guests continued their struggle for an equaliser after the break however struggled to create any possibilities of word, whereas Norwich appeared content material to quietly handle the sport.
The primary try on objective of a uninteresting second interval didn’t arrive till the 81st minute, with Mattsson sending a looping header simply broad.
Nevertheless, it was Pompey who grabbed the second objective of the sport three minutes later.
Andre Dozzell’s free-kick from the left was flicked on by Colby Bishop with Mattsson, below strain from Regan Poole, diverting the ball into his personal web.
Ali Ahmed fired a volley straight at Nicholas Schmid as Norwich sought a response however the guests held on for a deserved level.
The managers
Norwich’s Philippe Clement:
“I think it was a game we should have won. We had a few good moments in the first half and there were other times when we got ourselves into good positions and the final pass went astray. They had just one shot on target and I don’t remember us conceding many chances.
“I do not assume there was any doubt we had been the higher facet on the ball however in video games like this you really want a second objective, as a result of if you do not get a second one thing like this will occur. They rating late within the sport and it does not give us a lot time to react.
“We were missing some of our international players from the starting line-up and I am not happy with some of the managers who didn’t stick to their plans about how long they should play. But it is what it is and we have to get on with it.”
Portsmouth’s John Mousinho:
“I am really pleased with both the point and the performance after what happened in our last match. It was just what we needed going into another big game on Monday [at home to fellow strugglers Oxford].
“The primary half was a bit cagey from our standpoint however we wanted a response from two weeks in the past once we had been 3-0 down after 20 minutes. We weren’t precisely peppering their objective however we managed the sport effectively and obtained into some first rate positions, and within the second half I assumed we pinned them again for lengthy phases.
“We kept going and in the end we got our goal – and I think on the overall balance of play we deserved a point.
“I do know Norwich began the season badly however they’re among the best sides within the league, definitely prime 4 primarily based on their type. To return right here and get a optimistic end result reveals we are able to combine it with the most effective once we apply ourselves correctly.”
