Avram Grant’s lowly team dispatched with minimal fuss.
Confidence was high going into the match at Fratton Park but this season, more than any other, has proved the dangers of taking a match for granted. With Aaron Ramsey and Alex Song in such good form however, there was never any danger of that happening. The young Welshman, just like Fabregas, was able to take advantage of the security that Song provides in the centre of the pitch and drive forward in support of our forwards.
The deadlock was broken when Eduardo’s tamely struck free kick took a serious deflection off Younis Kaboul and bounced past a wrong footed Hreidarsson who was on the line. The Croatian has been struggling in recent games and although last night was not much of an improvement, hopefully he will take encouragement from the goal.
Nasri doubled the lead just before the break with a text book finish following quick passing from Ramsey and Eduardo. It was a slick goal and a clear example of the gulf in class between the teams. Portsmouth were very poor and look to be a team resigned to relegation already so it was a question of how many we wanted to score.
Ramsey stepped up mid way through the second half to add the third, he picked up possession on the right hand side and cut inside before unleashing a left footed drive past Begovic at his near post. It was another example of his talent and the £5 million paid to Cardiff is beginning to look like a bargain.
Belhadj scored a deflected consolation but there was still time for Song to add a fourth with a well directed header in the 81st minute. It capped another dominant performance from the midfield enforcer and with him and Diaby on the pitch we carry a vital physical presence. Abou Diaby completed an impressive December today with the news that he has signed a new long term deal and the good news continued as Cesc Fabregas should be back in action in a couple of weeks.