After making the perfect start, with a goal in the first five minutes, the Blades eventually succumbed in the second half, conceding three sloppy goals, to give Pompey all three points.
After only four minutes of the game the Blades found themselves in front. Quinn pulled the ball back to Geary, who put a pinpoint cross to Hulse, who headed past the helpless James.
The Blades could have been further in front before half time as Webber missed two golden opportunities. The first saw him break through the Pompey defence only to put his effort a couple of yards wide of the post.
The second chance came at the end of the half, as Webber’s neat footwork found him space on the edge of the box, but again he pulled his shot wide.
Portsmouth’s only chance of any real note was a strike from Orwell that Kenny did well to push away, low to his left.
After a solid and impressive first half display the Blades fell to pieces at the start of the second half. Three goals in 20 minutes put Portsmouth firmly in control of the game.
The first came from a double deflection, as Jagielka tried to clear, the ball hit his instep and could not be cleared off the line by Kozluck.
The Blades than conceded two near identical goals. Poor marking let both Campbell and Pamarot have free headers in the box, and they both found the back of the net.
The Blades did come back into the game in the last 20 minutes, as a chance for Kazim-Richards went wide and then a Morgan effort was cleared off the line.
However, as the final whistle sounded with the score still 3-1, the Blades saw their mini unbeaten run ended on the south coast.
PS: Sorry for the brief review, but hey it’s Christmas!
Player Ratings
Kenny
5/10
Geary
6/10
Kozluck
5/10
Davis
5.5/10
Morgan
6/10
Jagielka
6.5/10
Tonge
7/10
Quinn
6.5/10
Gillespie
6.5/10
Hulse
6.5/10
Webber
6/10
Montgomery
5.5/10
Nade
7/10
6/10