Portsmouth fought back to draw

Striker Danny Webber rescued a point for Portsmouth in a scrappy draw which does little to help either side's prospects of Premier League survival.

West Ham could have been well clear but for the heroics of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who saved from Frank Nouble, Alessandro Diamanti and Jack Collison.

The Hammers' lead came fortuitously, as Younes Kaboul's headed clearance looped in off the chest of Matthew Upson.

But substitute Danny Webber's slick finish earned Pompey a deserved point.

Looking at the statistics it seemed obvious why these two sides, who have both spent most of this season battling financial meltdown, have also spent the vast majority of the campaign struggling against relegation.

Portsmouth went into the clash without Papa Bouba Diop and Michael Brown, who limped out of last Saturday's FA Cup win over Sunderland with hamstring and back injuries respectively.

Right-back Steve Finnan returned from a groin injury, while goalkeeper David James sat out and reportedly remains on the brink of joining Stoke.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole started on the bench as he returned from a knee injury.

The game exploded into life after 20 minutes and Begovic needed to be at his best to keep Pompey on level terms, when Nouble stormed through on goal.

Hammers quickly went down the other end of the field and skipper Upson gave the East Londoners the lead after 52 minutes.

Boateng was dejected after 70 minutes, when Utaka's low cross from the right found him unmarked on the left side of the box and he dragged his effort into the side netting.

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant:
"It was a very tight game as expected.

"They came to fight, we came to fight. We dominated the game first half but they created both chances.

"Second half we were better but I don't know how they scored.

"We showed a lot of character, we scored a goal and could have scored two more.

"We did everything to win especially in the second half.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"I think it feels like two points dropped.

"We had control of the game and I didn't see them coming back, we also had two chances to score again.

"I'm delighted with the performance of the players.

"It was another brilliant performance attitude-wise and I think with this attitude we will play better and better."