Portsmouth 3 Leeds United 0

Last updated : 28 August 2007 By Footymad Previewer
David Nugent finally opened his Portsmouth account as Harry Redknapp's men brushed aside fallen giants Leeds United.

Nugent was said to be fighting for his Portsmouth career amid interest from Premier League newcomers Derby.

The £6million England striker fired a message to Redknapp with a well-taken third goal six minutes from time.

Nugent slid in to slot home at the back post after Nigerian international John Utaka had played him through.

The former Preston forward had earlier missed a golden chance to put Pompey in front in the 35th minute when he shot straight at Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren from 4 yards.

Redknapp made nine changes from the side that lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Saturday.

Fit-again Croatia International Niko Kranjcar came close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute with a majestic solo strike.

Kranjcar beat defender Frazer Richardson on the left wing before smashing a ferocious shot against the angle of post and cross-bar.

Tresor Kandol could have given League One Leeds a shock lead three minutes later when he came bursting past Pompey captain Sylvain Distin on the left.

The Congolese striker was thwarted by a smart save of the legs from Pompey's stand-in goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown.

Former Southampton midfielder David Prutton should have done better in the 27th minute when Kandol headed across the face of goal but he narrowly failed to connect.

Noe Pamarot made Prutton pay two minutes before half-time with the first of his two goals of the night.

Kranjcar corner from the right was hammered goalwards by Miguel Pedro Mendes and Pamarot stuck out his right boot to divert the ball into the net.

Substitute Jermaine Beckford almost shocked Pompey early in the second half when he forced another smart save from Ashdown after latching onto Prutton's pass.

Nugent must have thought his four-game dry run was going to continue when he headed out for a throw-in from Gary O'Neil's centre 11 minutes from time.

Pamerot showed Nugent the way to goal for a second time when he headed home from O'Neil's corner two minutes later.

But it was Nugent who took the applause from the 8,000 Pompey fans inside Fratton Park when he eventually broke his duck.