THE GREAT ESCAPE

FULHAM fans danced with delight after Danny Murphy's header 14 minutes from time kept them in the Barclays Premier League with an amazing third away win in a row.

Midfielder Murphy was left virtually unchallenged to nod in a Jimmy Bullard free-kick of a largely dismal game at Fratton Park which left FA Cup Finalists Portsmouth nursing their fourth consecutive defeat before next week's Wembley final against Cardiff.

CHRIS OF LIFE

DAVID ALEXANDER at The Riverside

BETTER late than never. Beating Pompey at The Riverside for the first time in nine attempts was enough to book Boro another season in the Premier League.

Like last year, it was rather too close for comfort but at least there was little doubt about the outcome yesterday with Pompey dreaming of Wembley.

ADAM COLTMAN at Fratton Park

ROQUE Santa Cruz's 21st goal of the season virtually ended Portsmouth's chase for fifth place in the Premier League.

After a delightful one-two with Jason Roberts in the 73rd minute, Blackburn's Paraguayan striker claimed his sixth goal in the last seven games.

MANCHESTER City took some of the heat off under-pressure manager Sven-Goran Eriksson with a convincing victory over 10-man Portsmouth.

Eriksson was hugely displeased at City owner Thaksin Shinawatra's comments that he will "review" the club at the end of the season, and his players gave their answer to the Thai tycoon in the best possible manner.