MAN CITY v PORTSMOUTH - MIN-BY-MIN

57 mins: Robinho celebrates his goal.

FT: Manchester City 6 Portsmouth 0

Comprehensive win for the Blues while Pompey need to put this afternoon behind them as soon as possible. Thanks for joining me this afternoon and I hope you enjoyed the game.

90+2: Another disappointing free-kick from Elano as he finds row Z. It hardly matters though as the job has long since been completed.

Three minutes of injury-time to be played.

90: Diarra is cautioned for a needless challenge. Frustrations boiling over as time ebbs away.

Might as well give those in Barbados a mention, as Iaon Owen checks in to say his brother will be gutted to have missed this as he is on a plane home. Anyone who has missed this will be seriously kicking themselves!

88: Evans almost grabs another as he benefits from fine play from SWP on the right, He flashes a powerfully struck effort well over, but he had James worried for a moment.

87: Crouch nods a looping header over the bar, but Hart was never troubled and barely moved. Pompey have looked blunt all day and their front two have looked far from their best.

86: Sturridge on for the outstanding Robinho. Can he complete a trio of scorers off the bench?

John Batty in Shanghai is toasting a fabulous performance from City, while Joe Simkins is another who was always confident that a sixth was on the cards.

84: GOAL! Man City 6 Portsmouth 0. The goals keep on coming, and it's another of the subs! Evans' cross from the left is spilled by James and Fernandes beats Belhadj to the loose ball to fire home a SIXTH!

81: Pamarot on in place of the hapless Johnson.

Phil Brockbank, from Spain - our list is growing - is absolutely delighted as a City fan for over 50 years. He also owes me a drink for lumping on Robinho at the break!

79: GOAL! Man City 5 Portsmouth 0. The best yet as Robinho finds SWP eight-yards out and he back-heels the ball into space behind him. Evans is on hand to drill the ball low into the bottom corner. Unbelievable score.

78: Evans takes a tumble in the box under a challenge from Belhadj, but the refereee remains unmoved. The youngsters is certainly keen to get involved and is running around like a mad-man.

77: Bad news for Woody as Ireland goes off to be replaced by Fernandes.

Woody is now tipping Ireland to get a fifth. He also adds to our worldwide contingent as he is tuning in from Australia.

75: Party pieces from Elano and Robinho as City toy with Portsmouth. The final whistle cannot come quick enough for Harry Redknapp's men.

74: Robinho is now dropping deeper and deeper in search of the ball. The Brazilian is obviously not willing to settle for four.

Danny is basking in the glory of successfully predicting the outcomes of both City games this week. So if anyone ever wants any betting advice I suggest you keep an eye out for Mr. Tilzey on these pages!

72: Jo goes off to a heroes reception and is replaced by Evans Can the youngster get his name on the scoresheet?

72: A shocking clearance by James goes straight to Richards but the centre-half fires high, wide and handsome, A true defender's finish from the City man.

71: Mistakes slipping into Pompey's game all over the field as Johnson concedes a needless corner. City decide against throwing it into the box and instead head backwards in an attempt to keep the ball.

68: GOAL! Man City 4 Portsmouth 0. City are rampant. Great pass from Ireland slices through the Pompey defence and Wright-Phillips flashes a powerful strike past James at his near post. Congratulations to Martin and Woody who tipped SWP to get a fourth.

67: Portsmouth appear to have given up the ghost of getting anything this afternoon and aren't even bothering to get too many men forward when they attack. Hoepful the game won't drift towards a tame finish.

65: A few niggly fouls are sneaking in now as Pompey's frustration grows and City are happy to knock the ball around among themselves.

64: Joe has been impressed by Robinho this afternoon and feels the Brazilian superstar has silenced those who scoffed at his over-inflated price-tag. I must admit the former Real Madrid man is a class act and a welcome addition to the Premier League.

I don't like to boast, but seems as Max has pointed it out, I did tip Robinho at 8/1 to be the next scorer during the half-time interval. Anyone get on it?

62: Great claim by Hart as he comes through the crowd to claim a high corner. Confidence is spreading throughout the team and they will feel unbeatable right now.

61: Ireland continues to dominate the midfield. His work rate is superb and he always seems to be in the right place to get in a telling tackle.

61: Pompey look shell-shocked and could crumble if they are not careful. City, meanwhile, have been very impressive and would have been a match for anyone today.

60: Portsmouth are living dangerously, pushing men forward and leaving acres of room in behind. They could be made to pay the price.

57: GOAL! Man City 3 Portsmouth 0. Well done to all those who tipped Robinho to find the target. Rapid counter attack by City frees Jo, who in turn lays the ball off to his countryman. Robinho quickly weighs up the situation and fires a first-time effort past a helpless James. Game over I feel!

55: Good recovery by Richards as he prevents Crouch from finding space six-yards out.

54: City have taken their foot off the gas and allowed Pompey to get a foothold on the game. The Blues need to up the tempo if they are to maintain their clean sheet.

Martin Lawlor is going for 4-0 City, Robinho and SWP on target, while Lauren goes 3-0. Elsewhere, Mark Hindley, in the Ukraine, is hoping City can hold on as he has suffered enough as a Blues fan over the years. I'm sure their are plenty of people out there who feel the same!

53: Crouch, who else, wins the ball at the back post but his header drifts into the grateful arms of Hart.

52: Great tackle by Ireland as he tracks back with Traor and wins a perfectly timed challenge in his own box. He has conceded a corner though.

51: Elano takes free-kick duties off Robinho but fires a 25-yard into the wall. Perhaps the Brazilian will win the argument next time!

50: Thanks to Ben Piscataway in the US of A for getting in touch. To answer his question, I see no reason why City should not have aspirations of a top five finish. New arrivals in January appear a formality and if they can gel then there is no reason why they cannot challenge the monopoly at the top.

49: Both managers are prowling the touchline and bellowing instructions at their chosen troops. Hughes, understandably, looks more relaxed and quickly settles back on his seat.

47: Pompey appear to be happier in a 4-4-2 formation and enjoy a prolonged period of possession at the start of the second period.

46: A rare error by Richards sends Defoe in on goal but his toe-poke sails wide of the far post. He would have been better advised rolling the ball across to Crouch who was faced with an open goal.

46: Kaboul has gone off at the break to be replaced by Utaka as Redknapp changes his system.

Portsmouth get us up and running once more.

You can also bet in play at skybet.com. Pompey have drifted to 40/1 to turn this game around while City are available at 13/2 to run out 4-0 winners. After an enterprising first half you can also get Robinho at 8/1 to get the next goal. Some value there perhaps?

Remember to keep your thoughts coming in throughout the second half. You can contact me at Chris.Burton@bskyb.com.

Man City 2 Portsmouth 0. The home side are well on top and have looked easy on the eye. Pompey have had their moments but as yet have failed to create many real clear cut openings.

45+2: Diop attacks the delivery at the far post, while Hart gets caught under the ball, but the Pompey man powers his header wide of the post.

45+1: Crouch again wins a towering header at the back post. He finds Diarra but, after making a yard for himself, the Frenchman's shot is knocked behind for a corner.

45: Elano should have got Jo in there. City win possession on the halfway line and with their Brazilian striker heading off towards goal his countryman fails to find him with a simple pass. Disappointing as City had half the pitch to send Jo scampering into.

44: At the other end Zabaleta is forced to hack off his own line as Crouch nods back to Campbell and the centre-half nods past Hart. He failed to connect as he would have hoped, which gave Zabaleta chance to get back.

43: City are in the ascendancy once more and Elano almost finds a way through.

42: Fabulous by Robinho as he dances his way into the box. He beats James on two occasions from a tight angle before sending an audacious flick into the side-netting.

Contrasting views coming in as Wayne Kenny backs Pompey to stage a remarkable comeback and claim a point. Meanwhile, Eddy Notley sees Jo grabbing a hat-trick in a commanding City win.

41: SWP takes the set-piece himself and delivers into the heart of the box. Dunne, though, is climbing all over Campbell and is pulled up for a free-kick.

40: Eye-catching build-up from City and Wright-Phillips near post cross has to be turned behind by a hastily backtracking Distin.

39: Sloppy pass from Belhadj sends Ireland scurrying in on goal. He feeds Robinho but the playmaker is once again denied by a sprawling stop from James. Pompey almost the architects of their own downfall there.

More support from the Far East as Andrew Lemmis rings the Pompey chimes in China. It's not going too well for his side at the moment but there is along way to go and to use a tired cliche - It's a funny old game!

37: Traore's free-kick causes panic in the City boss as Crouch flicks on to Kaboul and from six-yards out he fires well over. Another warning to City that they need to keep switched on at all times.

Thanks to Max Derbyshire for getting in touch. You have to feel for the guy, he has been dragged to Japan to see his in-laws when he should have been at the game cheering on City. At least your boys are doing you proud and there are worse places in the world to be than Japan!

34: After catching out James with a dodgy set-piece a few minutes ago, Elano once again goes for goal from the corner flag. He gets it all wrong this time, though, and fires into the side-netting.

33: Davis can't continue and hobbles off to be replaced by Diop. Davis has been struggling with a groin problem and it appears to have resurfaced.

32: Kompany fills a useful role for City, sitting in front of the back four and spraying passes from side to side. The giants Belgian looks to be a sound acquisition for the Blues and has adapted to life in England with ease.

31: Referee Alan Wiley almost sets up a chance for Crouch as the lofty front-man plays a one-two with the match official before firing into the commanding frame of Richards.

Sid, also tuning in from Gibraltar, is tipping City 3-0 while also telling Russ Taylor to get back to work! Surely everyone should be allowed to keep tabs on how their team are doing no matter where they are or what they are doing.

29: A perfect example as Johnson once again powers forward and delivers a dangerous cross. Crouch catches a volley cleanly, but sees his effort flash inches wide of the post. Let off for City.

28: The talents of Robinho are no in question but he does little going backwards and Pompey are finding plenty of room on the right when they push forward.

27: Johnson skips over a challenge from Elano before having the door slammed in his face by Dunne. The Pompey full-back had reached the edge of the box and needed to be stopped.

26: Keep ball from City has cries of Ole! ringing around Eastlands. Perhaps a bit too early for that, but who can blame them?

25: Snap-shot from Defoe as he meets Johnson's low cross on the half-volley. Dunne dives in to get in a block and forces Defoe to fire into the crowd. Hart is yet to be tested this afternoon, while Richards and Dunne have been immense when called upon.

23: Elano lifts the set-piece towards the back post and the head of Dunne. The centre-half gets on the end of the delivery, but under pressure from two Pompey defenders he nods wide.

22: Jo joins in with the part tricks as he entices Traore into a horribly mistimed tackle. Another opportunity for City to load the box.

Vaughan Briscoe in Australia is hoping his beloved City do the business today. They have certainly made the perfect start and it would take something special from Portsmouth to get back in the game.

20: GOAL! Man City 2 Portsmouth 0. Elano appears to scuff his corner, but James is forced to dive low to his right to push it away from the goal-line. Pompey are slow to react to the danger and Dunne bundles home. Perhaps the goal-fest we were all hoping for is on the cards after all!

19: Swp pops up on the left and links up well with Robinho. The little winger drags men out of position and wins a corner.

18: Good strength by Crouch as he holds off Dunne in the box. He has his back to goal and is unable to turn but does well to win a corner. Crouch gets his head on the resulting delivery but fails to control his effort and lifts it high over the bar.

17: Mis-kick by Kaboul as he tries to loft over a cross sees the ball bounce over his foot and out of play. Cue laughter all round from those taunting him from the sidelines.

16: City's South American trio of Jo, Robinho and Elano look different class every time they get the ball and Pompey need to keep those three quiet if they are to get anything this afternoon.

15: Robinho is a real menace with the ball at his feet and ties Kaboul up in knots on his way to the by-line. His pull back fails to find Jo, but the flashy Brazilian winger has got Eastlands on their feet. That's what they want to see from their record-breaking signing.

Tom Weston is keeping the faith and backing Portsmouth to recover and claim a 3-1 or 3-2 success. Let's find out.

13: GOAL! Man City 1 Portsmouth 0. Jo beats the offside trap with a well timed run, before confidently strolling around James and rolling into an empty net. Perfect start for the home side, Can Pompey respond?

11: Terrific break by City as they cut Pompey to pieces and send Wright-Phillips scampering in behind Traore. He sees the whites of James' eyes, but the big keeper stands up well to parry a fierce drive over the top. First real sight of goal and Pompey are thankful to their England international shot-stopper.

10: Portsmouth are seeing more of the ball at present, but City's five-man midfield is holding firm.

9: Defoe's game is all about playing on the last man, but he gets a couple of breaks marginally wrong and is pulled back on both occasions. The linesman could be in for a tough afternoon as both calls looked mighty tight.

Russ Taylor, keeping tabs on Pompey from Gibraltar, would like to extend his greetings to all fellow Portsmouth nuts. Nice to see people from all over the world checking in on their chosen troops.

8: Searching ball by SWP towards Robinho, but it is slightly over hit and drifts away from the Brazilian. Good idea though and Robinho is so good at finidng space on the left.

7: Zabaleta makes good progress down the right after a clever interchange with Wright-Phillips, only for his driven cross to be cut out by former City favourite Distin.

6: Poor touch from Garrido allows the ball to slide under his foot and out of play. City are put on the backfoot as a result and Hughes is off the bench giving his full-back an earful.

Plenty of peole expecting a tight contest today, with Paul Beard the latest to get in touch. He backs City to prevail in a 3-2 thriller. I hope all these predictions of bags of goals do not come back to haunt us! Any Pompey fans out there want to get behind their side as it's all City at the moment!

4: Robinho forces James into the first save of the game as his low, curling effort needs pushing around the post. The resulting corner is nodded away by Distin and Pompey survive.

3: An early cross from Traore is swung into the box, but is easily plucked out of the air by Hart.

2: Pompey immediately aim a couple of long balls towards the towering Crouch, but Kompany, who is a big lad himself, deals with the aerial threat manfully.

1: It will be vital that City get men in around Jo today as the big striker can only do so much when asked to play a lone role up top.

Still early doors but Mark Gough - a City fan - is tipping a 2-2 goal-fest. I'd settle for that!

Jo and Robinho get us underway.

The teams are out in the sunshine and we are about ready for the off. A few of the new Middle Eastern owners are in the stands and receive a healthy round of applause from those inside the ground. Can the Abu Dhabi United Group fulfil City's dreams? Only time will tell.

Confidence is high among the City faithful with Danny Tilzey, who is tuning in while serving in Iraq, boldly predicting Hughes' men will triupmh by three or more goals. Any more Blues fans feeling in positive mood?

It's a glorious day in Manchester and perfect conditions for football. Here's hoping we get an entertaining contest!

Mark Hughes keeps faith with those who did the business in Cyprus, while Harry Redknapp sticks with the 3-5-2 system which has proved so fruitful for Pompey of late.

Today's referee is Alan Wiley.

Portsmouth team: James, Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Belhadj, Diarra, Davis, Kaboul, Armand Traore, Crouch, Defoe. Subs: Ashdown, Hreidarsson, Diop, Pamarot, Utaka, Mvuemba, Kanu.

Man City team: Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Kompany, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Elano, Robinho, Jo. Subs: Schmeichel, Ball, Gelson, Hamann, Evans, Ben-Haim, Sturridge.

You can also bet in play on today's game at skybet.com. City are evens favourites heading into the game, while Portsmouth are available at 11/4. Fresh from bagging a brace against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday, Jo is 6/1 to score first while Defoe is 13/2 to notch first for the visitors.

How do you see the game going? Will the feel-good factor around City carry them to victory or will Pompey grind out another three points on the road? Who will be the star of the show - Robinho, Defoe, Jo, Crouch? Let me know your thoughts.

Remember you can air your opinions throughout the game by contacting me direct at Chris.Burton@bskyb.com.

City can keep pace with those towards the top with a win, while Pompey go in search of a thrid straight Premier League success.

Both sides secured Uefa Cup victories in midweek and will be hoping the momentum from those results carries into today's contest.

Welcome to Eastlands for our coverage of Manchester City's Premier League clash with Portsmouth.