A stoppage time penalty goal from James McFadden saw Blues claim their first three points of the 2009/10 Premier League season with a 1-0 win against Pompey.

On the balance of chances, Blues deserved to win the game, but England keeper David James was in impressive form when called upon.

However it was James who was responsible for conceding the spot kick when the game looked to be heading for a draw as he flattened Seb Larsson.

The major disappointment for Blues was losing full back Gregory Vignal with a thigh injury and Cameron Jerome with an ankle problem.

Alex McLeish made just one change to his starting line-up from Sunday's trip to Old Trafford with Garry O'Connor replacing captain Lee Carsley as the Blues boss elected to give with a 4-4-2 formation at home.

In Carsley's absence Stephen Carr was given the skipper's armband.

Despite his impressive 20 minute cameo appearance against the Reds, Ecuadorian striker Chucho had to be content with a place on the bench.

A Pompey defensive mistake as early as the second minute found Cameron Jerome free with the ball on the edge of the box, but his left footed shot was well saved by James who was dressed in a shocking pink kit.

Blues quickly started to pin their opponents back and began forcing them into several errors.

Anthony Vanden Borre should have done better for Pompey on 11 minutes, when he found himself free in the Blues penalty area, but from just ten yards out he sliced the ball high over the bar.

Blues immediately broke at pace and Cameron Jerome slid the ball across to Keith Fahey who struck it well, but saw it saved just inside the post by James.

On 18 minutes Seb Larsson went desperately close to breaking deadlock.

Gregory Vignal fired in a brilliant deep ball from the left and Larsson rose to head it from close range, but he directed it just over under pressure from his marker.

Then another surging run from Vignal on 22 minutes brought the crowd to life as it reminded the older supporters in the stadium of fine Blues left backs of the past - the ilk of Mark Dennis and Julian Dicks.

With half an hour on the clock Alex McLeish's side were continuing to have more of the play although some sloppiness in the passing of both sides was making the game slightly disjointed.

On 42 minutes Paul Hart was forced to make his first change of the game when Papa Bouba Diop limped off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Angelos Basinas.

Half time: Blues 0 Pompey 0

Paul Hart made a second substitution at the break with striker John Utaka coming on for Anthony Vanden Borre.

Less than 30 seconds after the restart Blues created their first chance as Cameron Jerome burst quickly forward before letting fly with a driving effort that went a yard wide.

On 49 minutes Blues were dealt a blow when the impressive Vignal limped off and was replaced by Stuart Parnaby in the left back role.

A nasty challenge from Basinas on Jerome then left the Blues forward prostrate.

He received several minutes of treatment but was unable to recover and was forced to leave the action and in his place Kevin Phillips came on.

The loss of Vignal and Jerome saw Blues initially become very ragged in their play.

And they received a major let off when Hayden Mullins sprung the offside trap but he was unable to redirect Niko Kranjcar's grass-cutting shot, with just keeper Hart to beat.

On 65 minutes David James had to show all his class to tip over a perfectly hit 20 yard free kick from Larsson after Phillips had been brought down.

James again showed his international class on 76 minutes when he kept out Phillips' low volley.

McFadden took a quick diagonal free kick which found O'Connor and the Scot headed it down to his strike partner who made a great connection, but James threw himself at full length and just tipped it round the post.

On 80 minutes Kanu replaced Piquionne for Pompey and two minutes later Chucho took to the field for Blues in place of Garry O'Connor.

Chucho's first touch of the ball came almost immediately as the ball broke from a Pompey corner direct to the striker.

He ran on with it deep into the visitors' half, but their defence quickly regrouped and reclaimed the ball.

With minutes of the game remaining Blues continued to push for the win and in stoppage time they were awarded a penalty when James bizarrely flattened Larsson.

The referee pointed direct to the spot.

McFadden stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way. 1-0 Blues!

Blues fans will now have the chance to see their side in action in another winnable encounter when Stoke visit St. Andrew's in just three days time.

Full time: Blues 1 Pompey 0

Blues: Joe Hart, Stephen Carr, Gregory Vignal (Stuart Parnaby, 49), Franck Queudrue, Roger Johnson, Seb Larsson, Barry Ferguson, Keith Fahey, James McFadden, Cameron Jerome (Kevin Phillips, 54), Garry O'Connor (Chucho 81).

Subs not used: Maik Taylor, Gary McSheffrey, James O'Shea, Lee Carsley.

Bookings: None

Portsmouth: David James, Marc Wilson, Younes Kaboul, Sylvain Distin, Anthony Vanden Borre (John Utaka, 45), Papa Bouba Diop (Angelos Basinas, 42), Niko Kranjcar, Nadir Belhadj, Aaron Mokoena, Hayden Mullins, Frederic Piquionne (Kanu 80).

Subs not used: Asmir Begovic, Richard Hughes, David Nugent, Joel Ward.

Bookings: Basinas (51), Piquionne (77), James (90 +1), Kabul (90 + 3)

Referee: Lee Probert (Wilts)

Attendance: 19, 922