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An early shock for West Ham saw them go a goal behind - before rallying to finish the half on level terms.

Sam Allardyce opted to start just one of his transfer deadline day signings with Henri Lansbury replacing Jack Collison, rested after his midweek excursions for Wales.

But the home side's enthusiasm was dampened after just eight minutes when Luke Varney's shot, from a corner moments earlier, richoched off Carlton Cole and into the opposite side of the unfortunate Robert Green's goal.

However the Hammers were to be behind for little more than 60 seconds, for with their first attack after the goal they levelled the scores through Matt Taylor. Yet once again a deflection played a part, with Taylor's fizzing effort catchng a nick off the wall as it sped towards goal.

Despite enjoying a short spell of sustained pressure thereafter - during which Mark Noble, free from the shackles of Scott Parker made his biggest impression of the season so far - it was the visitors who enjoyed the bulk of chances for the remainder of the half.

And Norwegian international Huseklepp should have restored Pompey's lead in the final minute of normal time at the end of the half when he found himself with the goal gaping as United's defence - not for the first time in the game - found themselves all at sea. Fortunately for Allardyce's side he failed to find the target, but it was a stark warning to the Hammers nonetheless.

No less than four players were booked in a lively first half that should have seen at least one player - Pompey's Mokoena - walk after catching Mark Noble with a deliberate elbow, an offence for which he was only booked by match official Roger East who made a number of mistakes during an error-strewn first half.

We'll have more for you at the final whistle.

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, Noble, Lansbury, Nolan, Faubert, Taylor, Cole

Subs: Boffin, Faye, Bentley, Piquionne, Baldock.

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Mokoena, Pearce, Halford, Ben Haim, Lawrence, Mullins, Norris, Varney, Huseklepp, Benjani.

Subs: Henderson, Ward, Rocha, Futacs, Kanu.

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