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Fulham striker
Bobby Zamora |
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Bobby Zamora's opener gave Fulham a half-time lead against Portsmouth at Fratton
Park.
With sightings of Sulaiman al-Fahim - the man fronting a potential takeover at
Pompey - in the stands, Paul Hart's men fell behind after 13 minutes.
Zamora struggled for goals last season despite his work-rate but he was happy
when he deflected a long-range effort past David James.
All eyes were on the directors' box because Sulaiman al-Fahim was expected to
attend the match, although the man fronting the potential takeover of Pompey was
believed to be en route to the stadium at kick-off.
On the pitch, Piquionne dragged an early shot wide - then got his head on to
Nadir Belhadj's cross from the left. But his finish drifted off target.
The hosts were ahead in the 13th minute through a total fluke.
Clint Dempsey set his sights on goal from 25 yards, and his effort struck Zamora
on the back before spinning past James and creeping in.
It could have got worse for Pompey when Danny Murphy's free-kick found Zamora at
the far post, with James tipping the header over the bar.
Belhadj fed Piquionne again, with the Frenchman forcing Mark Schwarzer into a
low save with a drive, then Niko Kranjcar lifted a free-kick over the bar from a
dangerous position.
It was a decent spell for the hosts and Belhadj should have levelled when
Kranjcar's corner found him unmarked - but the left-back totally missed his
header.
There was a bizarre incident when an eager ballboy ran on to the pitch to
collect the ball while in play, with Fulham sportingly giving the drop-ball
straight back to James.
Pompey fashioned a chance to equalise early in the second half after work from
Piquionne down the right flank.
The ball was pulled back to Hayden Mullins, who picked out Younes Kaboul on the
edge of the penalty area - but his finish was lifted over the crossbar.
Piquionne could not be faulted - he raced down the left from Kranjcar's pass but
when he crossed there was no support from the midfield.
Kranjcar had an attempt himself on the hour but his drive was too high - and he
was also inches away from a Belhadj cross.
But Pompey were always one step from self-destruction, which was the case when
Marc Wilson missed a simple clearance from Zamora's cross. Fortunately for the
young centre-back, Andrew Johnson planted his finish wide when he had plenty of
time.
Hart responded by bringing on Kanu, who has just signed a one-month deal at
Pompey - but the veteran could not earn his side a point. Kaboul headed a late
chance over.
David Nugent, who was jeered by supporters after being disciplined by the club
in pre-season, also lifted an effort over in the dying minutes.