See how the press reported our 2-0 loss on the south coast

Crewe Chronicle

STEVE Davis admitted Crewe gave themselves a mountain they could not climb at Fratton Park on Saturday.
Sloppy defending allowed the hosts to build a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes and the Alex never recovered.
A better second half display gave them some hope but they made the long trip home empty handed.
Boss Davis said: “I had a little go at the players at half time because we just didn’t start the game well enough. We normally start games with a good tempo and we didn’t here.
“The lads came out and did better in the second half. I sent them out to restore a bit of pride and that is what they did without really creating any clear cut opportunities to rescue something from the game.”

The Sun

MICHAEL APPLETON praised patched-up Portsmouth — then played down speculation linking him with Bolton and Burnley.
Wes Thomas and Izale McLeod bagged first-half goals to ensure boss Appleton’s team — made up largely of short-term loanees and non-contract players — made it three wins and a draw in four games.
Appleton said: “It was one of our most controlled performances of the season — a stepping stone.
“Speculation about me? It is easy to put out of my mind. I can’t control what others think. I’ve got a tough enough job here to start thinking about other jobs.”
Pompey, in administration since February, put their off-field troubles to one side as Thomas headed home a Jon Harley cross in the second minute.
McLeod converted a penalty after Andy Bond’s 18th-minute foul on Thomas.
Crewe manager Steve Davis said: “It was disappointing as our form’s been good.”

The News – Portsmouth

A dominant first-half display saw Pompey brush aside Crewe at Fratton Park with a 2-0 win.
Wes Thomas’ early strike and Izale McLeod’s penalty got the job done and made it four unbeaten League One games for Michael Appleton’s side.
That lifted them to 12th in the table on what could be a seminal weekend for the the Blues.
That follows strong talk that Balram Chainrai’s Portpin are unlikely to be okayed to return to the club by the Football League.
That would put Pompey Supporter’s Trust in pole position to assume control, although more twists and turns are expected in the saga yet.

The Sentinel

Portsmouth's rock-solid npower League One run continued as they collected their third win in four games with a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Crewe at Fratton Park.
The south-coast side stunned Crewe after just two minutes, when Wes Thomas caught Railwayman goalkeeper Alan Martin napping and headed home Jon Harley's deep cross from the left at the far post.
Thomas earned a penalty after 17 minutes when he was fouled by the visitors' Andy Bond. Izale McLeod stepped up, sent Martin the wrong way and blasted the spot kick to his left.
Pompey came close to going three-up when McLeod's wicked cross from the right was nearly slid into his own net by Bond, but Martin was alert to the danger and diverted the ball behind.
Martin pulled off another stunning save after 37 minutes. Thomas turned on to Brian Howard's pass and the Crewe goalkeeper flew to his right to palm his strike away.
Portsmouth's passing was appalling after the interval, but despite the visitors dominating possession, Crewe failed to craft any clear-cut chances.