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Mon 09 Sep 2007Portsmouth too strong everywhereBlackburn Rovers 0 Portsmouth 1:It is not often a Mark Hughes side is bullied out of a game, but Portsmouth were too strong for Blackburn Rovers in every department. If the home side's lack of ideas when faced with a five-man midfield was disconcerting, losing the physical battle was even more so, and only a solid performance from the goalkeeper Brad Friedel prevented their first Premier League defeat of the season from being severely embarrassing.Yet Rovers had begun the game with real purpose, and were almost rewarded as early as the fifth minute. Sol Campbell's loose pass was picked up by David Bentley, and the England midfielder made good ground down the right before working a neat one-two with Roque Santa Cruz. The striker turned quickly, ran into the area and rose above Sylvain Distin to head Bentley's subsequent cross against the top of David James' left-hand post.