CHIEF Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock was at Fratton Park to see Wanderers torn apart by Teddy Sheringham and Co on Tuesday, August 26.

This is how he reported the action for this website:

19:25: TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2003

BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP

PORTSMOUTH v WANDERERS

SAM Allardyce opted for experience in defence and midfield at Fratton Park after seeing Wanderers take just one point from their opening two games, conceding six goal in the process.

Anthony Barness was drafted in at right back in place of 19-year-old Nicky Hunt, who was rested, and Per Frandsen came in for his first start, returning to midfield at the expense of Kevin Nolan, who dropped to substitute.

Premiership newcomers Portsmouth were unchanged, Harry Redknapp standing by the side that earned a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Saturday.

Portsmouth: Hislop; Schemmel, Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Zivkovic; Stone, Feye, Quashie, Berger; Sheringham, Yakubu. Subs: O'Neill, Pericard, Harper, Primus, Wapenaar.

Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Barness, Laville, N'Gotty, Gardner; Frandsen, Campo, Okocha; Djorkaeff, Davies, Pedersen. Subs: Charlton, Nolan, Stelios, Jardel, Poole.

Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Banbury).

20:47: PORTSMOUTH 0, WANDERERS 0.

Half-time

THE action was fast and furious but for all the midfield mayhem there was little for either side to cheer in a scoreless first 45 at Fratton Park.

The atmoshere was electric with the home fans still in carnival mood after their entry into the Premiership but Wanderers did well to frustrate the likes of Patrik Berger and Teddy Sheringham with some hard work and snappy tackling.

Berger had a couple of long-range efforts but Jussi Jaaskelainen had no serious problems while Shaka Hislop had less to worry about, although he might have been struggling on seven minutes if Henrik Pedersen had managed to poke his shot on target after harassing Arjan De Zeeuw.

Bruno N'Gotty survived appeals for a penalty in the 16th minute when he used his shoulder to control the ball under pressure from Jay-Jay Okocha's Nigerian international team-mate Ayegbeni Yakubu but Wanderers were furious when referee Dermot Gallagher elected not to book Amdy Faye for a tackle from behind on Ivan Campo just seven minutes after carding Florent Laville for a considerable less harmful tackle on Yakubu.

21:56: PORTSMOUTH 4, WANDERERS 0

TEDDY Sheringham helped himself to a hat-trick to lead a second half Pompey goal rout that left Wanderers shellshocked and under serious early-season pressure.

The former Spurs man, captaining the Premiership's new boys, turned the game into a personal triumph after Steve Stone had taken the wind out of Wanderers' sails four minutes into the second half.

Ironically, Wanderers had fashioned their best chance of the game in the 47th minute when Shaka Hislop did well to turn a Kevin Davies shot round the post. And they might have been back on terms on 54 minutes when Bruno N'Gotty and Florent Laville missed chances to convert a Youri Djorkaeff corner.

But after Sheringham headed home his first on 57 minutes, Wanderers looked crestfallen, prompting Sam Allardyce to describe the final half-hour as "an embarrassing collapse"

Patrik Berger was an inspiration for Pompey but it was Sheringham who stole the honours scoring twice in the last three minutes - first from a lay-off by Stone then a minute from time from the penalty spot after Ivan Campo had fouled Pericard.

Portsmouth: Hislop; Schemmel, Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Zivkovic; Stone, Faye, Quashie, Berger; Sheringham, Yakubu. Subs: Primus for Schemmel, Pericard for Yakubu. Not used: O'Neill, Pericard, Harper, Wapenaar.

Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Barness, Laville, N'Gotty, Gardner; Frandsen, Campo, Okocha; Djorkaeff, Davies, Pedersen. Subs: Charlton for Barness 41 mins, Stelios for Frandsen 63 mins, Jardel for Davies 63 mins. Not used: Nolan, Poole.

Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Banbury).

Attendance: 20,113.