Portsmouth F.C. 7–4 Reading F.C.
| Event | 2007–08 Premier League | ||||||
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| Date | 29 September 2007 | ||||||
| Venue | Fratton Park, Portsmouth | ||||||
| Referee | Mark Halsey (Lancashire) | ||||||
| Attendance | 20,102 | ||||||
The Premier League match between Portsmouth and Reading set a record as the highest scoring match in Premier League history. The match was played at Fratton Park in Portsmouth on 29 September 2007. Eleven goals were scored in the match, leaving a final scoreline of 7–4 in Portsmouth's favour. A staggering six goals hit the back of the net during the last twenty minutes alone (though two were scored in injury time).
Two Benjani goals had the home side, Portsmouth, leading 2–0 before Stephen Hunt struck on the stroke of half-time and David James then gifted Dave Kitson an equaliser. Hermann Hreidarsson restored the lead before James atoned for his error by keeping out a Nicky Shorey penalty. Benjani restored the two-goal lead and Niko Kranjcar, Sean Davis (later credited to Ivar Ingimarsson via a huge deflection) and Sulley Muntari sealed victory, with Shane Long responding between that and a deflected Nicky Shorey strike was the final goal (this was also later credited as an own goal by Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell). With nine different scorers, the match also holds the record for the most goal scorers in a Premier League match, jointly held with Arsenal's 5–4 win at Tottenham in 2004–05.
"The first half was probably our best 45 minutes this season, but to come in having conceded in the last minute of the half allowed them back in... people say we only play one up front but today proved that it's really three and no-one deserves a hat-trick more than Benji." Portsmouth coach Joe Jordan
"It's difficult to analyse a match like that and if you try you will be there a very long time ...we scored four goals away from home and had a chance for another with a penalty. We played a full part in the game - I don't think many teams will come here this season and score four." Reading manager Steve Coppell
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