Fulham add to Pompey´s problems

Fulham began the Premier League season with a 1-0 win away to Portsmouth at Fratton Park here on Saturday that compounded the south coast side’s off-field problems.

Bobby Zamora’s fluke winner was the last thing Pompey needed after a pre-season that has seen several off the club’s best players depart while Sulaiman Al-Fahim’s proposed takeover has become mired in paperwork.

Zamora settled the match in the 13th minute but knew precious little about the goal after Clint Dempsey’s 25-yard strike hit his back and then span past England goalkeeper David James.

Pompey, without Peter Crouch, sold to Tottenham, were unable to equalise and Zamora might have made it 2-0 when his header from Danny Murphy’s free-kick was tipped over the bar by James.

Fulham’s goal sparked Pompey into life.

Nadir Belhadj released debutant Frederic Piquionne, the Frenchman forcing Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer into a low save with a driven shot.

Niko Kranjcar then struck a free-kick and Belhadj should have levelled when Kranjcar’s corner found him unmarked only for the left-back to completely miss his header.

Pompey had another chance early in the second-half following good work from the enthusiastic Piquionne on the right flank.

The ball was pulled back to Hayden Mullins, who found Younes Kaboul on the edge of the penalty area but the defender shot over the top.

Fulham though should have put the match beyond doubt when, after Marc Wilson missed the chance to clear Zamora’s cross, the ball fell to Andy Johnson.

But the England international shot wide, despite plenty of time and space.

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart brought on veteran striker Nwankwo Kanu but neither the Nigerian, Kaboul nor David Nugent, could rescue a point for Pompey.