Match Report

Everton v Portsmouth 10 September 2005

OG sees Pompey prevail

Everton 0 - 1 Portsmouth

Portsmouth showed no ill-effects from the international break as their multi-national squad relieved some of the pressure on boss Alain Perrin with their first win of the season in a 1-0 victory over Everton.

It was the first time Pompey had won in the league at Goodison in 50 years and Duncan Ferguson was the unfortunate party to be cited in the record books as his own goal settled matters to continue Everton's frustrating start to the campaign.

David Moyes' men must focus on their upcoming European challenge after this third defeat in four games, although Perrin's side produced a fine performance that could kick-start their campaign.

Everton, employing their tried and tested direct tactic, struggled as their long balls frequently failed to find Ferguson early on and The Toffees were unimpressive in what was a somewhat tepid first half performance.

Portsmouth by contrast were positive and fluent in their attacking endeavours, and in debutant forward Dario Silva they found a player keen to impress the travelling support as the Uruguayan international found his feet in The Premiership.

After just ten minutes he could have crowned his first bow with a goal as a one-two with Gary O'Neil inside the box worked a clear opening - however Silva struck a weak first time shot at Nigel Martyn and the Toffees keeper was alert to smother the rebound.

The visitors continued to dominate as their midfield drove forward, and O'Neil and Laurent Robert both failed to severely test Martyn when well placed, whilst Richard Hughes was denied a penalty shout as he fell easily under pressure from David Weir.

O'Neil continued to be in the thick of things and drove one effort wide after good interplay with Robert, before seeing another blocked after Tresor Lomana Lua Lua ghosted past debutant Nuno Valente.

Salif Diao, given a hot reception by the Goodison faithful upon making his debut following his loan move from Liverpool, could also have broken the deadlock although after chesting down in the box his snapshot volley flew over the bar after a flowing move.

Suddenly Everton began to offer a goal threat and with just two minutes remaining before the break they finally tested Jamie Ashdown, as the Pompey keeper showed great athleticism to get his fingertips to Mikel Arteta's dipping free kick.

Ashdown was again on hand to foil a set piece from the Spanish midfielder three minutes later as he proved more alert than his defenders to tip Marcus Bent's shot round the post after the striker had been played in from the edge of the box.

Kevin Kilbane headed over from the corner but Pompey reasserted their dominance as Lua Lua rattled the crossbar from 25 yards with a curling right foot effort after catching Martyn unawares.

Everton started the second half with a renewed vigour and, after Lua Lua hit harmlessly over, Ferguson came closest to breaking the deadlock as he rose at the back post to meet Arteta's corner - although O'Neil was on hand to head clear on the goal-line.

The Scottish striker again displayed his aerial supremacy as he headed down for Tim Cahill in the box, but Dejan Stefanovic got enough of the ball as he came in from behind to allay any fears of conceding a penalty.

Pompey tried to respond under increased pressure as Lua Lua was denied by the offside flag when taking advantage of Tony Hibbert's loose pass, and the energetic Congolese forward was also frustrated as Martyn tipped away his strong drive from the tightest of angles.

Just as Everton were looking more influential, Ferguson's prowess in the air backfired in disastrous fashion on the hour mark as Pompey took a deserved lead when he towered above Stefanovic and headed into his own net from Robert's curling corner.

Moyes looked to respond with a triple substitution, and striker James Beattie nearly made a positive impression soon after being introduced as he attempted to bundle home Arteta's free kick before rising high and heading wide just minutes later.

The game began to sink into something of a lull although Portuguese left back Valente, making an impressive debut after his move from Porto, livened things up with a stinging first time drive that Ashdown parried - before again attempting a long range effort that curled wide.

Martyn had to stretch to clasp a good free kick from substitute, and fellow debutant, Zvonimir Vukic, before Everton looked close to restoring parity as Beattie was denied by a fine save by Ashdown when through on goal.

The young keeper justified the decision to drop Sander Westerveld again as Ferguson, desperately trying to make amends, was denied by a fine close range save when he rose high to head at goal as Everton's late flurry refused to yield a result.

Everton	Team Name	Portsmouth
0	Goals	1
5	Shots on target ( Inc Goals )	5
5	Shots off Target (inc woodwork)	4
1	Blocked Shots	3
11	Corners Won	6
10	Total Fouls Conceded	12
3	Offsides	2
2	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
48%	Possession	52%

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