Burchill puts Pompey back on track

Derby County 1 Portsmouth

The First Division leaders, Portsmouth, came back from the dead to grab their first win of November, at the expense of Derby at Pride Park.

The Scottish striker Mark Burchill gave the league leaders the points with his third goal of the season, after an away win had looked the least likely outcome in the early stages of the game.

Pompey went deservedly behind to a Danny Higginbotham penalty after struggling to cope with the pressure applied by Derby at the start. It was Svetoslav Todorov who popped up to plunder an equaliser midway through the first period – and that proved to be the turning point of the game.

Derby, looking to put one over on their former manager Jim Smith who is now assistant manager at Pompey, tore into the visitors from the first whistle. Robert Lee attempted a trio of efforts from long range in the opening minutes but he failed to trouble Shaka Hislop with any of them.

By the 15th minute, the Rams had their breakthrough when the lively Lee Morris was sent tumbling by Portsmouth's Lassina Diabate, who had already managed to get himself booked for an earlier foul on Morris. The Pompey midfielder escaped a second yellow card but had to watch while Higginbotham powered home the spot-kick.

In the 16th minute there was a setback for the Rams when Lewis Hunt had to be replaced by Chris Riggott, who has recently had injury problems of his own.

Todorov had his moment in the 27th minute when he volleyed home a Matthew Taylor cross from close range.

At half-time, the Pompey manager, Harry Redknapp, replaced Paul Ritchie with Hayden Foxe. Six minutes after the re-start Portsmouth profited and took the lead. Another centre from the left by Taylor created the opportunity for Burchill to head the ball home.

In the 70th minute the Rams boss, John Gregory, sent on Fabrizio Ravanelli for his first appearance since August. The Italian, having recovered from an Achilles injury, was given the chance to make an impression against a club said to be interested in signing him.

Deon Burton, another supposed transfer target for Redknapp, also came on 11 minutes later. But neither was able to change the course of the game.

The nearest Derby came to an equaliser was Georgi Kinkladze's drilled shot which forced an excellent stop from Hislop in the 86th minute.

Derby County 1
Higginbotham pen 16

Portsmouth 2
Todorov 27, Burchill 51

Half-time 1-1 Attendance: 26,587