Primus sends Portsmouth into top four

West Ham 1 Portsmouth 2

Linvoy Primus scored his first goals for two years to send Portsmouth back into the top four of the Barclays Premiership – and leave West Ham in deep trouble following a maiden defeat for new boss Alan Curbishley.

The 33-year-old centre-half, born in nearby Forest Gate, headed in almost identical efforts during the first half to put Harry Redknapp’s men in total control on his old stomping ground.

Although substitute Teddy Sheringham pulled a goal back with nine minutes left to signal a late rally by the home side, it was too little too late as Curbishley lost his first match since taking over from Alan Pardew earlier this month.

Pompey will head into the remaining festive fixtures full of confidence for what 2007 will bring, with their European dream very much alive.

However, for West Ham, only a long hard battle to retain their top-flight status lies ahead over the next five months.

The Hammers, who beat leaders Manchester United in the last game at Upton Park, had looked out of sorts from kick-off.

More often than not, the choice of final ball was poor – leading to groans of frustration from the home supporters in the bumper 35,000 Boxing Day crowd.

A free-kick in a dangerous position, 22 yards out, was chipped over the wall and straight into the arms of Pompey keeper David James by Yossi Benayoun. It summed up the opening quarter of an hour.

The visitors, meanwhile, looked to hit back on the counter-attack – and took the lead after they had forced a corner on 16 minutes.

The delivery from the left by Pedro Mendes was perfect, swinging into the six-yard box.

Centre-half Primus rose at the far post to head the ball back down and up into the roof of the net – despite the efforts of Marlon Harewood on the line.

The goal was just what the game needed, but instead of a strong response from the hosts, it was Pompey who were in the ascendancy.

Following another dangerous corner which was nodded back by Primus, Sean Davis’ over-head kick was only half cleared by the home defence – and Sol Campbell drilled the loose ball over the bar from six yards.

On the half-hour, Mendes was just off target with a rising drive from the edge of the penalty area.

In a rare attack for the hosts, Benayoun weaved his way into the penalty area before he was crowded out and the ball put behind for a corner.

Pompey went 2-0 up on 37 minutes – with an almost identical goal to the first.

Hammers right-back Jonathan Spector was penalised for handball, two yards outside the penalty box, and Mendes delivered a deep free-kick, which was lofted towards the back post.

Primus – whose last goal before today came against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day 2004 – was again in the right place at the right time, leaping above Hayden Mullins to head into the top corner.

The Upton Park crowd again voiced their frustrations, as another three points now seemed out of reach.

It could have got worse before the break, as Davis saw his glancing near-post header drop on to the top of the net.

Curbishley made two changes for the start of the second half. Sheringham replaced Harewood and Argentina forward Carlos Tevez came on for Matthew Etherington.

The Hammers had little option but to go for broke now, veteran Sheringham driving in a low effort on 49 minutes.

However, that did leave the home side vulnerable. Another deep Pompey free-kick was lofted towards the far post, but this time goalkeeper Robert Green collected under pressure.

At the other end, former Hammer James raced off his line to deal with a casual back-pass as Bobby Zamora looked to capitalise.

There was at least a renewed impetus about the Hammers now, albeit without any real threat around the Portsmouth area as the match entered the final 20 minutes.

A moment of brilliance from the gloved Tevez down the left side of the penalty area saw the ball flash across the face of goal before the Argentinian sent a 25-yard free-kick just over the bar.

There was hope, however, with nine minutes left when Sheringham hooked the loose ball home after Anton Ferdinand had barged his way into the box.

Although the Hammers pressed for an equaliser, anything other than an away win would have been an injustice.