Portsmouth 2: Middlesbrough 1

Jermain Defoe's two second-half goals gave Portsmouth their first home win in six months - but not before manager Harry Redknapp had revert from his new 3-5-2 system.

Middlesbrough, with a raft of injured international stars missing, led against the run of play when burly striker Mido slotted in a chance created by Brazilian Afonso Alves.

But in the second half it was virtually a procession to their goal - Defoe passing up a hat-trick of other chances.

Pompey were lucky to survive in the fourth minute when Sol Campbell failed to cut out Didier Digard's cross from the right. Alves was so surprised he forgot to shoot, with only David James to beat.

With the hosts apparently dominating, Mido then caught them cold. Alves controlled a long ball down the left from Chris Riggott and found Mido with a sliderule pass.

Pompey's defence was slow to cover, and the big Egyptian slipped through neatly past the dozing Younes Kaboul to slot home.