Norwich Academy 3 Pompey Academy 1 Pompey Academy slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Norwich on Saturday. Dario Dumic's free-kick saw the hosts lead at the interval, before Danny Kelly doubled their advantage early in the second half. Nadir Ciftci pulled a goal back for the Blues but Josh Dawkin struck late on to secure victory for Norwich.

Kevin-Prince Boateng has been named Pompey’s September Player of the Month. The award from the Blues’ Central Branch Supporters’ Club is in recognition of the impact the midfielder has made since arriving from Spurs at the end of August. Boateng has been excellent in all four of his games for Pompey, beginning with a goalscoring debut at home to Bolton. As the 22-year-old prepares to face his former club at Fratton Park on Saturday, feast on some of his finest Pompey moments so far courtesy of pfcTV.

There are only a handful of tickets left for this weekend’s encounter against Tottenham Hotspur at Fratton Park. With just odd seats available around the ground, the only place in the stadium with grouped availability is the south stand extension. Prices for seats in this section are £50, with no concession discount. The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday.

Norwich Academy 3 Pompey Academy 1 Pompey Academy slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Norwich on Saturday. Dario Dumic's free-kick saw the hosts lead at the interval, before Danny Kelly doubled their advantage early in the second half. Nadir Ciftci pulled a goal back for the Blues but Josh Dawkin struck late on to secure victory for Norwich. A full report will follow on Monday.

Mike Williamson is prepared to wait for his first-team chance. The 25-year-old is yet to make his Pompey debut after arriving from Watford at the beginning of September. His only involvement to date has been in the reserve team victories against West Ham and Birmingham. But after working his way back up to the Premier League, the defender believes patience is key. He joined Southampton when they were still a top-flight outfit in 2001 but failed to make an appearance for the senior side. Instead he was loaned out to Torquay, Doncaster and Wycombe, before signing permanently for the latter in 2005. “I never expected to join a Premier League team and walk straight into the side,” said Williamson. “This is a brilliant opportunity for me to prove myself on the big stage. “I’m enjoying my time here and I’m looking forward to making my debut. “I work as hard as I can in training to impress the manager and show him what I’m all about. I’ll wait for my opportunity. “Everyone sets themselves targets and goals and mine is to get into the first team. I want to get there as soon as possible whether that’s next week or in a few months. “I’m playing with guys I watched on Match of the Day, so I still need a reality check now and again. “I try not to talk about my time at Southampton too much but it was valuable experience seeing what being at a Premier League club entails. It’s a learning curve. “When I was there the advice I got was to play games, no matter what level it was at.” Paul Hart plucked Williamson from the Championship and the defender believes that more managers should take a chance on players from English sides outside the Premier League. He said: “It doesn’t happen as often now with players coming in from all over the world but there are a lot of good players in the lower leagues. “There’s a lot of untapped talent down there and maybe people need the opportunity to prove themselves on the big stage. “I appreciate where I am now and where I’ve come from. It helps keep you grounded to know where your roots are.”

Due to unforeseen circumstances the launch of Pompey’s third kit has been delayed until Friday, October 23. We apologise to supporters for any inconvenience caused.

Half-season tickets for Pompey’s final 10 Premier League games of the season go on sale on Monday, October 19. Seats are available on all sides of the ground except the Apollo Stand (Milton end). The first game covered by the half-season ticket is against Arsenal at Fratton Park on Wednesday, December 30, kick-off 7.45pm. It also includes the Premier League home games against Birmingham, West Ham, Sunderland, Stoke, Chelsea, Hull, Blackburn, Aston Villa and Wolves. Prices: Jobsite Stand (Fratton end), North Stand and upper tier of the South Stand: Adult: £350 Senior/young person: £250 Juniors: £190 Family Enclosure Adult: £275 Senior/Young person: £175 Junior: £100 Payment can be made in full or with the benefit of three month’s interest-free finance with Zebra Finance. Call 0845 634 1199. Each new adult applicant for season tickets in the Family Enclosure must be accompanied by a junior family member. A junior is aged 16 and under on or before September 1 2009. A young person is aged 17-21 on or before September 1 2009. A senior is aged 60 and over on or before September 1 2009.

Birmingham 2 Pompey 3 Frederic Piquionne scored twice as Pompey Reserves beat their Birmingham counterparts in an entertaining match at St Andrew’s. The Frenchman’s brace and a goal from Paris Cowan-Hall had put Pompey into a comfortable three-goal lead but the hosts scored twice in five second-half minutes to ensure a nervy end to the match. All of the early pressure came from Birmingham and Kevin Phillips forced Jamie Ashdown to make a low save after just 30 seconds. Less than a minute later Pompey’s keeper was called into action again, this time to deny James O’Shea. The visitors were looking vulnerable against a strong Birmingham line-up and Gary McSheffrey was next to go close, shooting narrowly over the crossbar. Pompey’s first decent chance arrived on 16 minutes. Gael Nlundulu went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, clipping the outside of the post after bringing down Luke Wilkinson’s ball. They were ahead less than a minute later, however, when PIQUIONNE lashed home a shot that Maik Taylor could only help into the net. Nlundulu should have doubled Pompey’s advantage soon but he smashed the ball over after latching onto Danny Webber’s pass. The game was flowing from end to end and Ashdown made a splendid one-handed save to beat away McSheffrey’s shot. Cowan-Hall’s persistence then won Pompey a free-kick just outside the box that Eugen Bopp fired just wide. The visitors had a massive let-off on 35 minutes when the usually prolific Phillips volleyed over from just a couple of yards out. McSheffrey then burst through on goal only to be denied by Ashdown, before Lee Carsley shot over as the interval approached. But with one minute of stoppage time already played, PIQUIONNE grabbed his second goal of the night when Taylor could only parry Nlundulu’s shot into the Frenchman’s path. Half Time: Birmingham 0 Pompey 2 Pompey extended their advantage just a minute into the second half when COWAN-HALL lashed home an unstoppable volley that left Taylor with no chance. Ashdown then ensured the visitors preserved their three-goal lead with a smart stop to keep out O’Shea’s shot. Piquionne could have had his hat-trick but diverted Webber’s cross wide, before the latter fired over the bar. Birmingham finally got the goal they had been threatening all night on 55 minutes when David Joyce got round the back of Pompey’s defence and slid the ball past Ashdown. They pulled another goal back soon after. Ashdown did well to get a hand to Liam Ridgewell’s header after the defender had met Carsley’s cross, but the ball still rolled agonisingly over the line. Webber could have restored Pompey’s cushion on 70 minutes, firing into the side netting after working himself into a shooting position. Birmingham put Pompey’s goal under intense pressure as they tried to salvage a point and Ashdown did well to deny Jake Jervis, before his defence somehow blocked two frantic attempts to force the ball over the line. With time running out Phillips should have grabbed a late equaliser but after rounding Ashdown, he fired wide of the post. Ashdown, who had been superb all night, then clawed away McSheffrey’s free-kick and kept out Phillips’ deflected shot as Pompey held on for all three points. Pompey: Ashdown; Wilkinson, Williamson, Kilbey (Ryan 41), Sowah; Cowan-Hall, Bopp, Mahoto, Nlundulu; Webber, Piquionne (M.Smith 60) Subs not used: T.Smith, Gregory, Samba Birmingham: Taylor, Joyce, J.Rowe, Ridgewell, L.Rowe, O’Shea, Carsley, Johnson, McSheffrey, Bent (Jervis 46), Phillips Subs not used: Sammons, Butland, Hronec, Preston Referee: Mr S. Ross

Pompey’s midfield diamond were in sparkling form at Wolves on Saturday. With Jamie O’Hara protecting the defence and Kevin-Prince Boateng looking threatening behind the strikers, the Blues picked up their first points of the season at Molineux courtesy of Hassan Yebda’s header. The system almost paid dividends at Fratton Park a week earlier when Paul Hart’s side were so unlucky in defeat against Everton. Pompey’s boss believes he has the midfielders to suit a system also favoured by Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea. “It’s very attacking,” said Hart. “You can make it defensive if you wanted but really it’s very attacking. “There will be some games where it’ll be foolhardy to play that system – the diamond works in certain situations and 4-3-3 works in others. “But the players seem to enjoy it and they’re certainly making it work. “It’s difficult to play against. If you’re doing things right then sooner or later the opposition have to change. “Boateng loves his role. But you see him play in other positions and he fits in anywhere. He’s a phenomenal player. “Jamie’s good on the ball in a hectic situation. He takes the heat out. When he plays on the left he gives us extra balance or he can play in front of the back four where Michael Brown can play as well. “There’s a nice balance. When Aaron Mokoena plays he’s hard and uncompromising and when Yebda plays he gives us extra legs down the side.” Hart also pointed to the performances of Tommy Smith and Steve Finnan – who made his Blues debut at Molineux – as reasons why Pompey finally have some points on the board. He said: “Tommy’s tireless. You look at his figures and his work-rate is phenomenal. I think he’s been excellent since he’s come here. “You saw the calmness and reassurance that Steve gives to the back four. I thought he was faultless. “It buys a little bit of time for Anthony Vanden Borre to continue his progress. When we bring in players from abroad the Premier League is a million miles away from what they’re used to. “At times this season they’ve been flung in immediately when in an ideal world you’d ease them through.”

It’s been an extraordinary few months at Pompey. And at the centre of it all has been chief executive officer Peter Storrie. In an exclusive interview with pfcTV, Storrie gives the inside track on his job steering the club through turbulent times to the takeover by Ali Al Faraj that has brought fresh hope for all Pompey fans. Storrie hails the spirit of manager Paul Hart and the Blues team and reveals how overwhelmed he was when supporters chanted his name at Pompey’s last home game against Everton. The Fratton chief looks forward to the January transfer window, welcomes Avram Grant to the club as director of football and discusses the imminent return of Harry Redknapp and his Spurs side to Fratton Park on October 17.

Pompey's home matches against Burnley and Arsenal have been switched for live television coverage. Burnley still visit Fratton Park on Saturday, December 5 but the match will now kick-off at 12.45pm. The clash with Arsenal has been moved from Monday, December 28 to Wednesday, December 30. The game will kick-off at 7.45pm. Both matches will be screened live by Sky Sports.

Avram Grant has re-joined Pompey as director of football. The 54-year-old will work alongside Blues manager Paul Hart, who remains in charge of team selection. Grant will act as a conduit between the playing side of the club and the board. The appointment forms part of a comprehensive review of the club by new owner Ali Al Faraj. Pompey chief executive officer Peter Storrie said: “The club’s new owners want to appoint, with immediate effect, Avram Grant as director of football. “Paul Hart remains as manager and Avram Grant will work alongside him and give him the benefit of his experience. Avram’s role is to help and advise Paul. Team selection matters will remain with the manager. “We now have two very experienced people working together which will only benefit the club. Paul does not have an assistant but now has a director of football alongside him. “The manager, director of football, chief executive officer and chief scout will all work together on the buying and selling of players.” Grant spent the 2006/7 season as Pompey’s technical director before joining Chelsea as director of football.

New owner Ali Al Faraj has spoken for the first time since taking over Pompey and outlined that stability is the key for the Premier League club. He said: "Our aim is to put a stable foundation in place in all aspects of the business, beginning with the financial restructuring of the club. "Once this is in place we can assess our approach to building a much-needed new training ground and redeveloping Fratton Park. "In order to do this we need the full co-operation and understanding of various parties while we come to terms with the ongoing issues of the club's business and financial commitments. "We are appointing a professional team to review all aspects of the club, working alongside chief executive officer Peter Storrie. There will also be a restructuring of the board. "It is well-documented that we initially wanted to take over the running of the club two months ago. This would have enabled us to capitalise on the summer transfer window and help provide finance to strengthen the squad. Unfortunately we were unable to do so and that was a wasted opportunity. "However, the players brought in at the eleventh hour, along with those already at the club, have been tremendous and shown a great spirit and unity. And that is great credit to them and Paul Hart and his coaching team. "We have a very loyal fan base who have shown remarkable support. It is important for us to work with them and keep them aware of our plans. "Both the community and council have a major role to play in the future of the club and we look forward to discussions with them on a number of issues to enhance Portsmouth Football Club."

Hayden Mullins targeted a win over Spurs to get Pompey’s season flying. The Blues host Harry Redknapp’s side on the back of their first three points of the season at Wolves. Pompey then take on Hull and Wigan – games Mullins believes are crucial to the club's survival hopes. The Blues midfielder told pfcTV: “Wolves was the first win and it’s just the start. We’re looking forward to the Tottenham game and know what needs to be done. “There will be a lot of boys coming back to the club and it will be a very good test for us. It will be difficult but we’re looking for three points. “After Spurs we play a couple of teams who we feel will be in and around us this season, so if we can get a first home win it can kick-start the rest of the season.”

Peter Storrie today welcomed Ali Al Faraj as the club’s new owner. Pompey’s chief executive officer said: “Naturally I am personally delighted as I had backed Mr Al Faraj’s bid initially. “However all along the most important factor has been to make sure the club is financially secure so we can move forward to ensure our Premier League survival. “I have been very impressed with Mr Al Faraj, his people and their commitment. They are very professional in their approach to the business and I believe that we will have some exciting plans ahead once again for this football club. “Mr Al Faraj is a passionate follower of the Premier League and wants Portsmouth to remain in the best league in world football. There will be money to spend in January to make sure we do not lose our coveted place in the top flight. “Most of all I am pleased for the fans who have stuck by us through this very difficult period and also the staff who have continued to go about their business under trying circumstances.” Mark Jacob, Al Faraj’s lawyer and new Portsmouth Football Club board member, said: “There is going to be substantial investment. “We were ready to invest and push things forward six weeks ago so that was a wasted opportunity. However, there will be funds available in January to ensure we are not at the wrong end of the table come the end of the season.” Jacob said the first priority was to pay the players and executive board who had not received their September salaries. He added there was a commitment to continue with plans for a new training ground at Gosport and build a larger stadium for the Pompey faithful. “Both are part of our plans but the most important thing after this difficult period for everyone at the club is to achieve some stability,” he said. “We will be working closely with the executive board and senior management on all aspects of the club’s infrastructure and our goal is to improve every area of the business both on and off the pitch.”

Birmingham 2 Pompey 3 Frederic Piquionne scored twice as Pompey Reserves beat their Birmingham counterparts in an entertaining match at St Andrew’s. The Frenchman’s brace and a goal from Paris Cowan-Hall had put Pompey into a comfortable three-goal lead but the hosts scored twice in five second-half minutes to ensure a nervy end to the match. All of the early pressure came from Birmingham and Kevin Phillips forced Jamie Ashdown to make a low save after just 30 seconds. Less than a minute later Pompey’s keeper was called into action again, this time to deny James O’Shea. The visitors were looking vulnerable against a strong Birmingham line-up and Gary McSheffrey was next to go close, shooting narrowly over the crossbar. Pompey’s first decent chance arrived on 16 minutes. Gael Nlundulu went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, clipping the outside of the post after bringing down Luke Wilkinson’s ball. They were ahead less than a minute later, however, when PIQUIONNE lashed home a shot that Maik Taylor could only help into the net. Nlundulu should have doubled Pompey’s advantage soon but he smashed the ball over after latching onto Danny Webber’s pass. The game was flowing from end to end and Ashdown made a splendid one-handed save to beat away McSheffrey’s shot. Cowan-Hall’s persistence then won Pompey a free-kick just outside the box that Eugen Bopp fired just wide. The visitors had a massive let-off on 35 minutes when the usually prolific Phillips volleyed over from just a couple of yards out. McSheffrey then burst through on goal only to be denied by Ashdown, before Lee Carsley shot over as the interval approached. But with one minute of stoppage time already played, PIQUIONNE grabbed his second goal of the night when Taylor could only parry Nlundulu’s shot into the Frenchman’s path. Half Time: Birmingham 0 Pompey 2 Pompey extended their advantage just a minute into the second half when COWAN-HALL lashed home an unstoppable volley that left Taylor with no chance. Ashdown then ensured the visitors preserved their three-goal lead with a smart stop to keep out O’Shea’s shot. Piquionne could have had his hat-trick but diverted Webber’s cross wide, before the latter fired over the bar. Birmingham finally got the goal they had been threatening all night on 55 minutes when David Joyce got round the back of Pompey’s defence and slid the ball past Ashdown. They pulled another goal back soon after. Ashdown did well to get a hand to Liam Ridgewell’s header after the defender had met Carsley’s cross, but the ball still rolled agonisingly over the line. Webber could have restored Pompey’s cushion on 70 minutes, firing into the side netting after working himself into a shooting position. Birmingham put Pompey’s goal under intense pressure as they tried to salvage a point and Ashdown did well to deny Jake Jervis, before his defence somehow blocked two frantic attempts to force the ball over the line. With time running out Phillips should have grabbed a late equaliser but after rounding Ashdown, he fired wide of the post. Ashdown, who had been superb all night, then clawed away McSheffrey’s free-kick and kept out Phillips’ deflected shot as Pompey held on for all three points. Pompey: Ashdown; Wilkinson, Williamson, Kilbey (Ryan 41), Sowah; Cowan-Hall, Bopp, Mahoto, Nlundulu; Webber, Piquionne (M.Smith 60) Subs not used: T.Smith, Gregory, Samba Birmingham: Taylor, Joyce, J.Rowe, Ridgewell, L.Rowe, O’Shea, Carsley, Johnson, McSheffrey, Bent (Jervis 46), Phillips Subs not used: Sammons, Butland, Hronec, Preston Referee: Mr S. Ross

Sulaiman Al Fahim, the owner of Portsmouth Football Club, has sold the majority - 90 per cent - of the club to Falcondrone Limited, a company owned by Saudi Arabian businessman Mr Ali Al Faraj. Contracts have been signed between the parties today to enable funds to be released to pay the players and executive board on Tuesday. Al Fahim Asia Associates, owned by Sulaiman Al Fahim, will retain 10 per cent of the club and he remains as non-executive chairman until at least the end of the 2010/11 season. Ali Al Faraj will join the club’s board of directors along with his associate, Mark Jacob. Peter Storrie will remain chief executive officer. Mr Al Faraj, 40, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a respected property investor in the Middle East and has already passed the Premier League’s fit and proper persons test. A Pompey spokesman said: “The takeover will ensure Portsmouth Football Club’s future is safe and will bring financial stability. “Once the takeover is complete the club will undergo refinancing in order to grow and develop every part of the business. “Mr Al Faraj is very supportive of the club’s plans for a new training ground and the development of Fratton Park.“

Pompey 0 Ipswich 0 Pompey Academy were held to a goalless draw by Ipswich at the Wellington Sports Ground. Tom Kilbey went close for the Blues just seconds into the game, linking up with Nadir Ciftci and firing a shot narrowly over the bar. The visitors’ first decent chance arrived on 15 minutes but Billy Clarke sent the ball wide after bursting into space. Pompey were soon back on the attack, though, and Billy Goddard headed wide before Ciftci shot inches over. At the other end Tommy Smith was forced into action just before the interval, saving well to deny Ronan Murray. Pablo Navas Alors came off the bench at the start of the second half and had an immediate impact, whipping a cross into the box that Ciftci just failed to connect with. Pompey were not being put under much pressure but Smith made a fine save to deny Sam Brandon at point-blank range. The hosts poured forward in search of a winner and Luke Wilkinson (pictured) dragged a shot wide before Peter Gregory’s ambitious long-range effort crashed against the crossbar. But Ipswich almost grabbed a winner on the break. Only another fine save from Smith kept out Murray’s goal-bound strike. Pompey: T.Smith; Gregory, Ryan, Wilkinson, Martin; Goddard, Stockford, Kilbey (Bogard 55); M.Smith (Walshe 73), du Chattelier (Navas Alors 46), Ciftci Subs not used: O’Brien Ipswich: Ranieri; Bennett, Meekings, Eastman, Dunbar (Windas 35); Garrett (Jones 60), Hyam, Cawley, Clark (Butcher 70); Brandon, Murray Subs not used: Lavery, Trainor

Watch the Blues pick up their first Premier League victory of the season at Molineux. Pompey: James; Finnan, Kaboul, Wilson, Ben Haim; Brown (c), O’Hara, Boateng, Yebda (Mokoena 78); Dindane (Webber 74), Smith (Vanden Borre 90) Goals: Yebda 19 Booked: O’Hara, Boateng Subs not used: Begovic, Williamson, Belhadj, Utaka Wolves: Hennessey; Foley (Kightly 46), Mancienne, Berra, Elokobi (Maierhofer 80); Halford, Edwards, Henry (c), Jarvis; Doyle, Keogh (Ebanks-Blake 46) Booked: Kightly Subs not used: Hahnemann, Craddock, Zubar, Milijas Referee: Howard Webb Attendance: 29,023

Pompey 0 Chelsea 1 Pompey put up a brave fight but Lianne Sanderson’s second-half goal meant it was Chelsea who progressed to the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup. The Blues played well against their National Division opposition and both Justine Lorton and Zoe Nash (pictured) had shots saved by the Chelsea keeper. At the other end Louise Worsfeld was not being tested too often, although she did make a couple of key saves. Pompey’s task was made more difficult, however, when skipper Kirsty McGee was shown a straight red card following a late lunge on 60 minutes. And Chelsea booked their place in the last eight on 69 minutes when Casey Stoney’s fine cross was headed home by Sanderson. Manager Vanessa Raynbird said: “There was nothing between the sides so it’s disappointing to lose. “We matched them in every department and we certainly didn’t look out of place against a side containing England internationals. “Our game plan was to press them high up the pitch and make them work for everything. It’s easy to just sit back and soak up the pressure but that doesn’t work. “It wasn’t a great challenge by Kirsty that led to her sending off but I’ve seen people stay on the field for similar challenges. There certainly wasn’t any intent. “Even then we kept our heads held high and had chances to score. I’m very proud of the way the girls performed.” Pompey: Worsfold, Hier, Fisher, Murphy, Kirby, Thorp, Rutherford, McGee (c), Hillier, Nash, Lorton Subs not used: Poore, Beaumont, Hier, Miles, Hunt