Portsmouth 3-2 Blackburn Rovers

Tony Adams secured his first home win as Portsmouth manager in a thrilling encounter at Fratton Park.

After a drab 45 minutes of football Pompey came out firing on all cylinders for the second-half and netted two goals in quick succession. Peter Crouch broke the deadlock just four minutes after the restart when he headed home a Glen Johnson cross before Jermain Defoe neatly tucked a shot into the bottom corner from inside the box.

The visitors looked down and out before an inspired substitution by Paul Ince saw Matt Derbyshire send a looping header into the back of the net with his first touch of the ball on 61 minutes. The home fans were then taken back to their UEFA Cup tie on Thursday by again conceding a two-goal advantage as Tugay Kerimoglu sent a fizzing drive into the bottom corner.

England Under 21 International Matt Derbyshire had a goal ruled out and the home side were living dangerously before substitute Sean Davis netted the winner from inside the box with 12 minutes to spare.