PORTSMOUTH’S clash with Sheffield United descended into a bad-tempered melee after the final whistle.
John Mousinho’s winless side held Chris Wilder’s promotion hopefuls to a 0-0 draw at Fratton Park.
In the final act of the contest, the Blades thought they had earned a free-kick for a foul.
Referee Matt Donohue instead opted to blow the final whistle, much to the visitors’ frustration.
Sheffield United captain Vini Souza was particularly incensed, earning a yellow card for his protestations.
Tempers then flared between members of both teams, with pushing and shoving matches breaking out.
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This enraged members of the home support, with X-rated chants coming from the stands and a ball thrown towards the players.
At one point home goalkeeper Will Norris was floored, before the melee was finally split up.
After the game, Pompey boss Mousinho attempted to play the incident down, claiming: “It was nothing.”
Wilder, meanwhile, was full of praise for the home side.
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He said: “It wasn’t our day and maybe we didn’t deserve it, that’s how the game goes.
“Portsmouth were good and you have to give them credit.
“If they play like that for all their home games and their away games, they will get results and they will win games.
“They will make it as difficult for other teams as they made it for us.
“Teams will get beaten here if Pompey play like that all season.”
The Blades boss, 57, then heaped praise upon goalkeeper Michael Cooper, who arrived from Plymouth Argyle last month.
‘TONGUE IN CHEEK’
After Cooper completed a full month of clean sheets, Wilder said: “I found out today that my goalkeeper can make some saves, as he hadn’t had to make a save yet!
“I’m being tongue in cheek, we knew he could make saves, but now he has proved it to everybody, including our coaching staff and supporters.
“He’s played a part today. We brought him in to make saves and when he is, he is playing his part.
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“Everyone has to defend, it isn’t just the keeper and back four that have to stick their bodies on the line. We defend from the front.
“We want to win games and take risks, we feel we are an attacking team, so to get those four sheets gives us a great base to move on.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
