Late Bolton winner leaves Pompey rock bottom

A controversial late winner from Gary Cahill earned Bolton their first points of the season and left fellow strugglers Portsmouth still searching for theirs.

Israeli midfielder Tamir Cohen’s opener was cancelled out by a Younes Kaboul header and Kevin-Prince Boateng marked his Pompey debut with a second equaliser following Matthew Taylor’s penalty.

But the Fratton Park faithful were denied a first point of the campaign in the 89th minute when Cahill headed home after Chris Basham had flicked on Jlloyd Samuel’s throw-in.

Portsmouth’s players furiously protested that two of their opponents had been in offside positions but they were waved away by referee Chris Foy.

David James returned to the Portsmouth goal after an injury lay-off which may have cost him his England place while Boateng, Jamie O’Hara and defender Tal Ben-Haim all made their Pompey debuts.

Bolton newcomer Ivan Klasnic was forced to make do with a place on the substitutes bench, while Johan Elmander missed out with an injury incurred on international duty with Sweden in mid-week.

Former Pompey favourite Taylor had spurned a good chance to put Bolton ahead before Gretar Steinsson sent Cohen into the box to rifle his side into the lead.

Taylor wasted an opportunity to double the lead and Portsmouth got back on level terms with a stunning Kaboul header from O’Hara’s inswinging corner.

Bolton reclaimed the lead four minutes before the break with a penalty that was just as controversial as their eventual winner.

Trotters captain Kevin Davies appeared to run into Ben-Haim but the referee saw what he thought was a foul and pointed to the spot.

That allowed Taylor to make amends for his earlier misses by sending James the wrong way with his spot-kick.

Portsmouth were denied a possible penalty of their own when Tommy Smith went down in the box but they did get back on level terms just after the hour mark.

Nadir Belhadj’s ball from the left fell to O’Hara, whose shot was blocked, but Boateng was first to the rebound and sidefooted home.

Portsmouth looked the more likely winners at that stage but, after a clearance off the line by Steinsson, it was Bolton who had the final word.