Sheff Wed 2-3 Portsmouth

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A magnificent debut by keeper Yoshikatso Kawaguchi sealed Portsmouth's victory over managerless Sheffield Wednesday.

The Japanese international pulled off a number of great second-half saves to deny Wednesday a deserved share of the spoils.

Kawaguchi recovered well after conceding a goal after just 25 seconds.

Forward Simon Donnelly slid the ball home from 10 yards following a defence-splitting pass by Leigh Bromby.

Portsmouth levelled five minutes later.

Kevin Harper's cross was chested down by Peter Crouch and the lanky striker smashed the ball home from six yards.

Robert Prosinecki then wasted a good chance by blazing over the bar from the edge of the Wednesday area.

The home side had to rely on a brilliant double save by Kevin Pressman just after the half-hour mark.

Smacked

Crouch fired a first-time volley at goal, but the keeper managed to tip his effort over the bar.

From the corner Crouch headed on to Linvoy Primus, but the defender's attempt was Pressman saved with his legs.

Crouch then gave Pompey the lead when he side-footed home from Lee Bradbury's cut back.

The Owls went close to levelling just before half-time, but Gerald Sibon's 25-yard free-kick smacked against the post.

They pushed forward after the interval only to be caught on the counter-attack by Portsmouth in the 59th minute.

A long ball forward found Neil Barrett, and the midfielder shrugged off a challenge before guiding his into the bottom right-hand corner.

The Owls refused to lie down despite the two-goal deficit.

They pulled one back after 66 minutes when Pablo Bonvin was pulled down in the area by Primus for a penalty.

Sibon stepped up to calmly score his sixth goal of the season.

It was then backs to the wall for Portsmouth, and Kawaguchi pulled off a great reaction save from Bonvin following a Morrison cross.

After 71 minutes Sibon was again close with a 30-yard free-kick which went just over the bar.

Despite constant Owls pressure, Portsmouth managed to hold on to grab their first league win at Hillsborough in over 35 years.

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Sheff Wed: Pressman, Bromby, Maddix, Westwood, Geary, Quinn, Lescott, Soltvedt, Morrison, Sibon, Donnelly. Subs: Stringer, McLaren, Bonvin, Harkness, Crane.

Portsmouth: Kawaguchi, Hiley, Primus, Edinburgh, Pitt, O'Neil, Prosinecki, Harper, Bradbury, Crouch, Barrett. Subs: Beasant, Crowe, Vincent, Mills, Lovell.

Referee: T Parkes (Birmingham).