Team news: Paul Dickov started for City for the first time since returning to the club in the summer. Ousmane Dabo dropped to the bench, and with Bernardo Corradi suspended Darius Vassell was back in the side.
For the visitors, David James made a swift return to Manchester, and Kanu started in place of Todorov.
The Match
City had the first good chance of the match after 10 minutes when Joey Barton went for a one-two with Vassell, and from just outside the area the midfielder’s shot from the return pass skidded just wide of David James’ right post.
Paul Dickov marked his return to the starting line-up in fine style three minutes later when he harried Sol Campbell into making a mistake as the former Arsenal defender tried to shepherd the ball out of play. The feisty striker managed to wrap a foot round the ball and crossed, and despite Portsmouth clearing easily Dickov earned an ovation from the home fans.
Joey Barton tried a shot from just outside the area on 24 minutes, but David James was right behind his former team-mate’s effort. Richard Dunne also tried his hand two minutes later, but his well-struck attempt flew well wide of the right post.
Dunne found Samaras in the area with a long pass on the half-hour, and his header hung in the air before landing harmlessly on the top of the net.
O’Neil found himself in a lot of space within the area on 34 minutes, but he never connected properly with his shot and Nick Weaver was untroubled.
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With time running out for the first half, Sinclair took aim from the left corner of the area but his shot rebounded away off Stevanovic.
There was controversy not long after the start of the second half when Thatcher caught Mendes with the ball running out of play. The Portsmouth player also collided with the advertising boards and had extensive treatment, meanwhile players from both sides squared up to each other. Mendes was stretchered away while Thatcher received a yellow card.
Nick Weaver was called upon on 55 when he had to dive at the feet of Benaji as the striker bore down on City’s goal.
The ever-popular keeper made an even better save on 68 minutes, when Matt Taylor popped up inside the area and half-volleyed the ball to Weaver’s right. City’s stopper dived and parried it away, rightly earning huge applause from the home crowd.
Ishmael Miller replaced Samaras on 71, and a minute later he came close to opening the scoring when his left-footed effort from outside the area brought a good save from David James.
The game looked to be petering out over the last 15 minutes, but Trevor Sinclair broke down the right when found by Barton with three minutes left, but his cross only found Stevanovic who calmly chested it back to James.
Hearts were in mouths in stoppage time when Glen Johnson skipped through a challenge in the area and attempted a chip, but luckily for City the ball looped across the area and City cleared.
