At first the Blades looked nervous and could win the ball, the play belonged to Portsmouth, then after 10 minutes United's confidence grew and began to win balls and push ball forward.
Two minutes later The Blades took the lead through midfielder Peter Ndlovu, United chipped the ball into penalty area, Shaka Hislop rushed out to get it but decided to stop, in mean time Portsmouth defense tried to clear but was not good enough as the ball fell to Ndlovu who neatly put the ball into the open goal from 18 yards out.
Little chances fell to either side until 25th minute when pompey midfield slid ball down middle for Deon Burton to take ball around keeper and into a empty goal, Burton was arguably offside.
Ten minutes later Deon Burton had a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Merson's thunderbolt from 20 yards was saved by new boy Paddy Kenny but thumbled the ball, the Fratton Park faithful had one yard between him and goal, Kenny just managed to save the ball which led to a standing ovation from both sets of fans.
Later both teams had a chance to score with both Iffy Onoura and Deon Burton just heading wide of goal, both from pin point crosses.
Just before half time whistle United had another chance to score, Michael Brown lobbed the ball onto the far post, Hislop saved an Onoura header and Steve Yates struck the post with only a yard between him and keeper.
half time: Sheffield United 1-1 Portsmouth
The Blades started the second half just like the first, with Portsmouth have most if not all of the play, again it took them 10 minutes to get back into the game and when they did United looked a threat to the pompey goal.
United did not create as many chances as they did in first and did not look like they would score, Onoura had another head go wide later on but these was his only chances.
Paul Merson was booked during second half after wrestling Michael Brown to ground around half way line, he was determined to bring his Arsenal style of play to Fratton Park with him.
Merson had a great chance to score himself after Pompey midfield caught out Blades defenders, they chipped it over to Merson who attempted to lob Kenny but failed as Kenny cached the ball with ease.
Yesterday manager Neil Warnock persuaded Celtic boss Martin O'Neil to let United have highly rated winger John-Paul McGoven on a five month loan.
During second half McGoven came on and impressed the United crowed of 16,093 as he launched in some very accrete crosses to the Blades forwards.
full-time: Sheffield United 1-1 Portsmouth
Man of the match: This is a tough award to give out as a player really has to deserve it. Peter Ndlovu would be in line for it as he scored our goal, Steve Yates and Shaun Murphy were solid at the back but I think the MOTM award has to go to young new goalkepper Paddy Kenny, had it not been for him Deon Burton would have scored a hat-trick and have gone home winning 3-1.
United had a magnificent game but The Blades will have to improve a bit if play-offs is their aim this season.