Barry Hayles bagged two goals as Fulham’s Premiership bandwagon
flattened nine-man Portsmouth. Hayles took his tally for the season to 12 as
Jean Tigana’s men made the most of another Watford slip-up to ease into a five-point
lead at the top of the table.
But for all their precise passing and faultless finishing, the Cottagers were
helped by Portsmouth’s second-half indiscipline. Both Linvoy Primus and Ceri
Hughes were sent off for second bookable offences as Pompey – and some would
say referee Keith Hill – lost the plot.
Portsmouth, unbeaten since skysports.com columnist Steve Claridge took charge
had done well to haul themselves back on terms after Hayles had slotted home
a perfect pass from strike partner Louis Saha. It was Claridge who pulled them
level just before the break as Hughes whipped a ball in from the left and the
player-boss poked a near-post finish past Maik Taylor.
But it all went bandy for the men in blue within six minutes of the restart
as Primus’ trip on Hayles earned him the first red card of the day.
He only had sole use of the Craven Cottage for 15 minutes though before Hughes
followed him down the tunnel, although the midfielder will feel aggrieved after
seeing a second yellow for the slightest of fouls.
It mattered little to Fulham and within three minutes they were back ahead
as Luis Boa Morte made up for twice being denied by Russell Hoult by crossing
for Hayles to stab home an instinctive second.
And another win for the league leaders was wrapped up ten minutes from time
when Lee Clark was allowed to run across a backpedalling Pompey defence before
steering a left-footed finish past the hesitant dive of the overworked Hoult.
Fulham:
Taylor, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Coleman, Clark, Hayles, Goldbaek (Boa Morte
58), Saha, Davis (Sahnoun 83), Fernandes.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Symons, W. Collins.
Booked: Fernandes, Davis.
Goals: Hayles 11, 69, Clark 80.
Portsmouth:
Hoult, Primus, Derry (Waterman 90), Moore, Claridge, Bradbury, Hughes, Quashie,
Thogersen, Hiley, Panopoulos.
Subs Not Used: Edinburgh, Flahavan, Nightingale, Miglioranzi.
Sent Off: Primus (51), Hughes (66).
Booked: Primus, Hughes, Derry.
Goals: Claridge 44.
Att: 19,005
Ref: K Hill (Royston).