West Ham Utd - 1 Portsmouth - 2:Linvoy Primus's flying dreadlocks are more readily associated with his own penalty area than the opposition's. Before his brace yesterday his last goal for Portsmouth had been scored on St Stephen's Day two years ago.
His successes yesterday, against a wretchedly disappointing West Ham side, came from set-pieces, as did two of Portsmouth's against Sheffield United on Saturday. Portsmouth clearly look beyond their ageing forwards when it comes to scoring goals.
The London-born Primus, who watched West Ham as a boy, was signed by Alan Curbishley for Charlton before drifting into the lower leagues. He joined Portsmouth on a free transfer in July 2000. "It was fantastic for a Forest Gate boy to come here and score twice," said his manager, Harry Redknapp, afterwards.
"He's been magnificent for me. When I came back to the club he was out of the team. He'd been cast aside and they were looking to sell him for about £150,000.
"But I put him straight back in the team because you know what you're going to get from him. He's an honest, whole-hearted player who gives absolutely everything and his partnership with Sol Campbell's been terrific for us."
Curbishley had made a good start at West Ham, not conceding a goal while beating Manchester United and then getting a point at Fulham. That should have given them the confidence to take the game to Portsmouth. But they seemed afflicted by nerves.
Shortly before Primus's first goal pragmatic Curbishley had switched from his opening 4-4-2 to match Portsmouth's 4-5-1. "When the other side changes the way they play you know you're winning the battle," said Redknapp.
Primus's first goal came from a Pedro Mendes corner, when he stole round the back of West Ham's defence to head the ball firmly into the ground and over the line. His second was also supplied by Mendes, this time from a free-kick.
West Ham scored through their substitute Teddy Sheringham in the 81st minute, the ball coming to him on the right following a challenge between David James and Anton Ferdinand. They might even have stolen a lucky point but the lively Carlos Tevez's free-kick landed on the roof of the net and a shot by Hayden Mullins a flew high into the Bobby Moore stand.
Curbishley said: "I was really disappointed with the first half and there is a lot to work on. The attitude and steel we showed against Manchester United and Fulham were not there. We let in two soft goals, particularly the second one."
Guardian Service
