Chelsea edge Pompey friendly

Posted on | Sunday, July 17, 2011 | No Comments

Own goal Former Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim has helped the Blues to sneak victory against Portsmouth.

It was the first opportunity to see Andre Villas Boas, "the team in action as they played their 3-0 win in midweek Wycombe more behind closed doors.

The Blues responded completely different line-up of each half as the newly appointed chief Portuguese gave all players a chance to win pre-season fitness at Fratton Park.

Side Villas-Boas "not out of second gear in the first period, but took the lead in the seventh minute when Ben Haim calamitously went to his own goal.

Substitute goalkeeper Hilario has produced a superb save to stop Luke Varney penalty after the break to help the victory of Chelsea hammered the south coast.

Villas-Boas decided to start the match mixture of youth and experience with the likes of Fernando Torres, Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda coated with youth and Tomas Fishin Billy Clifford.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, made three changes from the team that beat Havant & Waterlooville on Monday as Herman Hreidarsson, Ben Haim and Stephen Henderson came to Jason Pearce, Lewis and Jamie Ashdown Stockford.

Portsmouth was close to breaking the deadlock in the opening three minutes when David Norris broke his left side and only a block from Ashley Cole intelligent prevented the arrival of Dave Kitson flicking home near the pole.

But despite the flash of attacking intent, it was the visitors who started the brightest and received an advance of an own goal from Ben Haim strangers.

Cross Torres' right to strike was not by Greg Halford, when he tried to cancel, the former Chelsea defender leading going into his own net.

Villas-Boas troops continued to press after taking the lead, Torres voice in a way gilt-edged chance wide before John Obi Mikel free-kick fizzed straight keeper Henderson.

Despite the domination of Chelsea, Portsmouth has put together a few chances of their own and tested Ross Turnbull repeatedly.

Former Middlesbrough goalkeeper was forced head first to stop Norris supplied sneak home before palms deaf disk array Luke Varney as part-time approach.

Chelsea began the second period in a new XI, while Portsmouth - which could only name five substitutes - Ashdown relieved and Pearce.

The half started at a rate of indifference and the only time the note was 30 yards free kick Hreidarsson.

However, as soon as the game lively after replacing Hilario was destined to be torn down and referee Keith Stroud Luke Varney showed the place.

The former Blackpool striker stepped up with confidence, but the defeat of the hand outstretched goalkeeper of Portugal down low to his left.

Dave Kitson launched a great shot, looking to atone for lack Varney, before Didier Drogba and Yossi Benayoun were efforts at the other end.

Hilario good job has been canceled after a misunderstanding almost twice defensive Varney saw a box of rabbit to try to score, but Nathan and Jose Bosingwa has Chalobah blushes were spared by last-ditch defense on both occasions.