Football: Hammers twin flair with fight

West Ham United. . . .2

Portsmouth. . . . . . 0

AFTER Mark Chamberlain had been cautioned for a foul a wry press-box voice with knowledge of the fight game asked: 'When was he last booked for a tackle?' The fact that the indiscretion was perpetrated on Julian Dicks, he of the three sendings off this season and 37 bookings in 178 games made it all the more poignant.

It should be made clear that the fight displayed at Upton Park was in accordance with football's Queensberry Rules, rolled up sleeves and clenched-fist passion, and not as recently defined by Ian Wright. Physical, yes, but for the most part accepted in good faith.

Fight, determination, hard work. These were the words that recurred throughout the Portsmouth manager Jim Smith's discourse on an emphatic West Ham victory which was just one goal short of restoring them to second place in the First Division behind Newcastle.

To be fair, Smith was also quick to praise their skill and movement. The best team, he said, that Portsmouth have faced this season. 'Yes we were disappointed with our performance but that would be unkind to West Ham.

'They have great talent but now they work extremely hard for one another. At Derby they held on to a 2-0 lead even after having Dicks sent off and in days gone by they would have found that difficult.'

Alternatively, it can be stated that the Hammers now have the ability to complement their industry and fortitude. In every department there are players comfortable with the ball, their one-touch passing is well honed and provides the space for the quick-heeled Kevin Keen and Mark Robson to exploit.

Significantly both full-backs had a major say in the opening goal. Dicks ploughed on through two awkward challenges before switching the ball to the right where Tim Breacker executed the perfect cross. Trevor Morley responded with a brave header and then required lengthy treatment for a split lip and damaged shoulder caused by his collision with the Pompey goalkeeper Alan Knight.

It could well have been good night Morley at that stage if Clive Allen had not already limped off with a torn calf muscle he anticipates will keep him out for two weeks. Morley stayed on to contribute an all-round centre-forward's display, while the loss of Allen in some ways aided his team's cause.

The ferreting Matt Holmes gave them extra strength in midfield with which they smothered Portsmouth's attempts to construct a supply line to Guy Whittingham and Paul Walsh. Whittingham had the chance to bag goal No 31 this season but he headed over and by then Pompey were two down, Colin Foster nodding in Robson's corner.

Pompey are best viewed on their own grass where they have lost only once in the League (to West Ham) and have conceded just three goals. They have 12 games remaining at Fratton Park compared with nine away and with no FA Cup distractions this time they should be heavily involved in the scramble for the play-off places.

Goals: Morley (27) 1-0; Foster (56) 2-0.

West Ham United: Miklosko; Breacker, Dicks, Potts, Foster, M Allen, Robson (Parris, 90), Butler, Morley, C Allen (Holmes, 9), Keen.

Portsmouth: Knight; Awford, Daniel, McLoughlin, Symons, Burns (Powell, 75), Neill (Maguire, 42), Chamberlain, Walsh, Whittingham, Aspinall.

Referee: R Gifford (Mid-Glamorgan).