Sunderland are still looking for their first away win of the season, after Jermain Defoe's second half penalty proved to be the difference at Fratton Park.

Andy Reid and Grant Leadbitter came in for Roy O'Donovan and Michael Chopra in the two changes from the XI that started our win over Wigan a fortnight ago, as Roy Keane named a five man midfield, naming Kenwyne Jones up front on his lonesome again.

An early free kick from Andy Reid narrowly missed Dickson Etuhu in the first minute, as Sulley Muntari came close at the other end in what was a frantic start. Grant Leadbitter saw an effort charged down, before Jones was robbed of the ball as we tried to get at Pompey early on.

Portmouth got a foot into the game though, and saw Defoe flagged offside, before Muntari sent a free kick sailing just over Craig Gordon's bar from about 30 yards over on 22 minutes. Sunderland tried their luck with an Andy Reid free kick six minutes later, but that was cleared away as Sol Campbell found himself lucky to not give away a penalty for an apparant handball in the box. Herman Hreidarsson headed Niko Kranjcar's cross just wife, as Pompey ended the first half on top, but still going into the break tied at 0-0.

Grant Leadbitter blazed another free kick just wide shortly after the restart, but Craig Gordon was made to work as Jermain Defoe sent a flash shot into his hands, before he collected up a cross from Glen Johnson on 67 minutes.

However, Pompey took the lead moments later, when Phil Bardsley gave away a penalty after a foul on Kranjcar. Up stepped Defoe to sent a right footed shot past Gordon as Sunderland protested the original penalty decision. Roy Keane brought on Dwight Yorke and Michael Chopra shortly afterwards as we tried to salvage a point, but in the end the margin of defeat could have been greater.

Defoe saw his deflected shot go straight to Gordon after good work from Kranjcar and substitute Kanu, but in the end it was Defoe's spot kick that was more than enough for a home win as Sunderland struggled to force David James into any real saves.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Whitehead, Leadbitter (sub 79, Yorke), Etuhu, Reid (sub 70, Chopra), Murphy (sub 84, Prica), Jones. Subs: Ward, McShane.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Diop, Diarra, Muntari, Kranjcar, Baros (sub 64, Kanu), Defoe. Subs: Ashdown, Lauren, Utaka, Davis.