Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was pleased with getting off the mark on the opening day of the season.
"I'm very happy," Hodgson said. "The opening game of the season is much-awaited and you are always concerned that it might not go well for you.
"It's nice to kick off the campaign with three points. In this league the points are so important and when you're leading and have a chance to get them it's important that you don't concede.
"The goal was very fortuitous. I think we were a bit lucky but it was a nice piece of football, a good turn and strike from Clint Dempsey and luckily Bobby was in the right position to steer it in.
"Of course it was a lucky goal but I think we had two or three other occasions where we should have scored."
"When it goes well you have to be delighted. Portsmouth is never an easy place and they have a talented team, so a 1-0 victory is something we're happy with - even if the goal was lucky."
Zamora could have been sold to Hull when Fulham were interested in Peter Crouch but he stayed at Craven Cottage.
"There were quite a few clubs that wanted him," Hodgson said. "It was at the time we were competing for Peter Crouch and had he joined it would have made Bobby's position less tenable, so he was allowed to talk to clubs.
"Lucky for us he wasn't too interested and I haven't been interested in letting him go."
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Portsmouth boss
Paul Hart |
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Portsmouth boss Paul Hart responded to Sulaiman al-Fahim's appearance at the defeat to Fulham by calling for the takeover saga at Fratton Park to be sorted out as soon as possible.
Al-Fahim, who is fronting a potential takeover, was stuck in traffic but took his seat just in time to see Bobby Zamora's fortuitous winner.
Hart has not been told whether a change of ownership is imminent but has been told he has no money to spend to get the five new faces he wants.
The situation needs to be sorted, for the good of everyone at the football club," Hart said. "There is no money to spend but it could improve."
Hart had vid James in goal and Sylvain Distin at centre-back but his bench was made up with the likes of Joel Ward and Matt Ritchie.
"I hope there will be incomings," he added. "Good players, cheap or less-than cheap. Even if you have millions it doesn't mean you can sign anyone.
"I had a list in May, we whittled it down. We probably need another four or five."
Hart felt his side performed well after falling behind to Zamora's fluke.
The Fulham striker scored twice in the league last season so was due some luck - and it came after 13 minutes when Clint Dempsey's shot went off his back and past James.
The visitors could have added to Zamora's goal but Andrew Johnson wasted their best chance, while Pompey had chances and were encouraged by Frederic Piquionne's debut following his loan from Lyon.
"There is an element of frustration but looking at it, there are an awful lot of good things," Hart said. "I was pleased with the way we restricted Fulham.
"But it's going to be tough. We have to adjust our sights somewhat."
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Source .Mike McGrath, PA Sport