Things didn't get off to the best of starts did they? Last season it took over five games for us to concede a goal but in this campaign it took less than five minutes after Sol was outjumped by Howard and nobody was marking Oakley who slotted in to give Derby the dream start. It just had to be him didn't it!
Things could have been worse as Andy Todd broke through our shaky defence and lumped his shot over the bar. We finally settled and equalised when an incisive pass met Benjani who dummied Andy Griffin and sent his shot straight through Bywater.
The first half was quite entertaining despite being a bit scrappy. We oozed more class and played the better football but Derby got a lot of change out of what should be one of the best defences in the Premier League.
The second half was a much slower affair as neither side really looked like forcing the game bar one chance where Fagan was through on goal only for some last ditch defending to deny him.
The game then exploded into life in the last five minutes when a free kick from Distin was knocked down by Hermann and left the excellent John Utaka with a tap in to give Pompey the lead with five minutes to go. That goal had an aura of "Bolton" about it and it looked like we would go on to win.
But Pompey were made to pay for some catastrophic defending right from the restart as none of our defenders could clear in the box and the ball broke to Teale who crossed for Andy Todd to head in an instant reply for the home side.
The end of the game was frantic as Teale could have won it and substitute Matt Taylor volleyed high at the death. It finished 2-2 and to be honest that was a fair result on balance of play.
Derby played well enough to suggest that they may have enough to survive in this division whilst we looked too dodgy defensively and I think Harry got his tactics wrong slightly by playing Muntari wide left because he kept drifting infield meaning Hreidarsson was left exposed on his own against Fagan.
The main positives to take from the game were the performance of John Utaka who looks like he'll be a great signing given his pace on the ball that will frighten defences on the right. Benjani also looked good but Nugent couldn't really get into the game.
The main worry was the defence. They looked shaky as a unit and Tony Adams really needs to get them on the training pitch and make sure the communication and formation is spot on for the United game on Wednesday because if we're struggling trying to contain the likes of Craig Fagan then what is Ronaldo going to do to us?
Still, a draw against a newly promoted side away from home isn't the worst result in the world. It could have been worse but at the same time, we'll be disappointed to have let a lead slip so cheaply.
Still, it's not a big deal with a guaranteed three points during midweek.
Pompey Player Ratings
David James: 6 - Didn't have much to do and had no chance with either goal.
Lauren: 5 - Nowhere near his best.
Sol Campbell: 6 - Struggled with Howard at times.
Sylvain Distin: 6 - A shaky debut but had an influence in the second goal.
Hermann Hreidarsson: 6 - Struggled with Fagan but showed his usefulness in the opposition box.
John Utaka: 8 - His pace and close control had the Derby defence worried on more than one occaison. Scored too.
Sean Davis: 6 - Average performance.
Pedro Mendes: 7 - I thought he had a decent game. Great saving tackle to deny Mears in the box too.
Sulley Muntari: 6 - Showed glimpses of what he could do. Passing was hit and miss.
Benjani: 7 - Looked good on the ball and grabbed a goal after a good piece of skill.
David Nugent: 6 - Tried hard but couldn't get into the game.
Subs
Jamie Ashdown
Noe Pamarot: N/A - Very late substitute
Matthew Taylor: N/A - Brought on too late to make an impact.
Richard Hughes
Kanu: 6 - Put himself about but didn't do much in honesty.