Portsmouth 2 - 1 Middlesborough (Saturday 13th September 2008; Fratton Park; Att.: 19,425)

It's strange to think that until recently the media was declaring the death of 'variety' shows. The success of 'Britain's Got Talent' proves that the UK isn't ready to give up on them just yet. And down at Fratton Park on Saturday there were a few good men keeping the tradition alive.

For the opening 45 minutes we endured the comedy act, but unfortunately Pompey were beaten to the punchline. Boro had started the season well with two wins from three games. Their last away victory was at Fratton Park back in December, and they murdered us that day. So they must have chuckled with confidence as they took the lead on 24 minutes, because neither side had shown enough quality to deserve an advantage.

The second half served up sounds as sweet as from any musician; namely the Fratton Park crowd roaring home two goals from Defoe to see Pompey take the lead and clinch victory.

And in the middle of it all was the magician, Harry Redknapp.

OK - so I'm going to drop this 'variety' theme now. It's a tenuous link at best! But 'magic' is certainly an apt description for what Harry conjoured up at half-time. Everyone was expecting another run out for the 3-5-2 formation that surprised Everton before the international break. Gareth Southgate certainly was, and set his team up in anticipation. Until the break his tactics were sound.

But the old hand was to teach the young gun a valuable, if costly, lesson. And in the process Redknapp has proved the doubters wrong: this Pompey team is flexible. If the system isn't working then Harry is willing to change it, and the players are ready to respond.

With his second half brace Defoe naturally grabbed all the headlines, but a number of other players deserve a mention. Sean Davis was full of running and showed yet again why he still has a part to play in this team. Armand Traore keeps on showing his Emirates inherited class. Debutant Belhadj gave us a glimpse of how exciting he could be in the wing back role. And Peter Crouch is cotinuing to develop an understanding with Defoe, his assist for the equaliser demonstrating the value of having two top quality forwards in the team.

But having said all this, one man stood head and shoulders above every man on the pitch - if not every player in the Premier League: Lassana Diarra. Even with the players they have on their books, Arsenal and Chelsea must be gutted at letting this guy go. How we bagged him for a mere £5 million I will never know, and I don't kid myself that he will be with us for long. But while he is here all Pompey fans should just enjoy watching him play for our team.

On the back of this victory the town is buzzing leading into the club's first ever UEFA cup match tomorrow, against Vitoria Guimaraes. Here's hoping that the winning streak can continue...