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A tale of two cities - part two - Portsmouth are flying high

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Nik Wardle takes a look at the rise of Pompey as Southampton slip away

Bragging rights on the South Coast belonged to Southampton for almost half a century - but now it's Portsmouth's turn. Pompey's win at home to Sunderland last Saturday sees them in seventh place, just three points off of a European place. Depending upon the winners of the FA Cup (of which Pompey are still in) and the UEFA Cup, teams finishing as low as eighth in the Premier League could be eligible for next season's UEFA Cup, thus giving Pompey a good chance of heading into European competition for the first time in their history.
Portsmouth have a slightly more shiny history than their south coast rivals, Southampton, having won the football league twice in 1949 and 1950 and also winning the FA Cup in 1939. But before promotion in 2003, they'd spent only one season in the top league since the late 50s.
Twice, in 1976 and 1998, the club almost went bust. Then along came Milan Mandaric. It took a few managerial changes to get it right but eventually Harry Redknapp came down from his Director of Football post to manage the club and lead them into the top flight. Rather ironic that Redknapp came into the club this way and was later to leave because Velimir Zajec was appointed to a post similar to one he once held. One rule for one, eh?
Things didn't go too well under Redknapp's replacement Alain Perrin, nor under Zelic, who stepped into a coaching role after the Frenchman was sacked. And so, with relegation back to the Championship a distinct possibility in 2005/06, Mandaric turned to Redknapp. It must've taken a lot of pride-swallowing for the two to be re-united and guts from Mandaric to back his judgement in the face of such of such an unpopular appointment. A few years earlier and twenty or so miles along the M27, Rupert Lowe didn't back his instincts about Glenn Hoddle and Pompey's rivals were relegated soon after.
Now with businessman Alexandré Gaydamak's millions bankrolling the club, Pompey are one of the biggest spenders in Europe, let alone the Premier League. It's them who are attracting England players and not Southampton.
On Sunday they visit Everton in a match key to both teams' European aspirations. Everton are strong favourites at 1.88 with Portsmouth out at 5. Given Pompey's good away record, this isn't a bad bet, although I'd expect Everton to win. Pompey are at 4.1 for a top six finish. According to the betting placed thus far by Betfairians, Pompey should finish seventh, which could be good enough for Europe. I'd expect Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa to finish above them. Unfortunately for Pompey, they've drawn Man Utd away in the FA Cup and are out at 18.5 to lift the trophy.
Even if Pompey finish the season outside of the European places, the season has been an unequivocal success. There appears to be self-awareness about the club and this is reflected in their ambitious plans for a new stadium and the ever-increasing transfer budget. It's certainly the blue half of the South Coast which has the upper-hand now and that's likely to remain for many years to come.