Portsmouth v Bolton 18 August 2007
Pompey too strong for Bolton
King Kanu inspires Pompey victory
Kanu inspired Portsmouth to a 3-1 victory over sorry Bolton at Fratton Park.
The Nigerian striker scored one, won a penalty and had another goal disallowed as Pompey ran out deserved victors.
Nicolas Anelka earlier put Bolton in front, before Kanu equalised after having another effort disallowed.
He then put through John Utaka for a fine individual goal, for Pompey to lead 2-1 at half-time.
And he then won a penalty which Matthew Taylor scored to seal the win for Pompey after a scrappy second-half.
Portsmouth, who held Manchester United on Wednesday, are on the up, but Bolton are very much in disarray after slumping to their third consecutive defeat.
It had all started so well for Sammy Lee's side, as Anelka showed all his quality after being put through by El Hadji Diouf down the left side on the area.
Anelka held off Hermann Hreidarsson before producing a cool finish between David James' legs.
Their lead would not, though, last for long.
Promising partnership
Sloppy defending allowed Gary O'Neill time to measure a deep cross from the right to Utaka, who laid into the path of Kanu, who buried a close range finish past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Half an hour in and the same pair combined to put Portsmouth into the lead.
Kanu somehow managed to flick a reverse pass to Utaka, while falling to the turf, and his compatriot showed tremendous pace as he accelerated away from Nicky Hunt and Gerald Cid.
Utaka's composure was perfect too, as he rounded Jaaskelainen before tapping in for his second goal for the club.
Gary Speed had a chance to equalise on the hour when he timed his run perfectly to meet a Nolan cross, but his header was well saved by James.
Taylor made
That was as close as Bolton came and Taylor scored the hosts' third goal in the 88th minute.
Referee Steve Tanner ruled Cid's challenge on Kanu to be worthy of a spot-kick, even though the French defender appeared to take the ball.
Taylor gleefully took advantage as he stroked home the penalty to seal the points.
Portsmouth |
Team Statistics |
Bolton Wanderers |
3 |
Goals |
1 |
2 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
5 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
5 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
2 |
Blocked Shots |
0 |
10 |
Corners |
6 |
13 |
Fouls |
11 |
10 |
Offsides |
4 |
0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
64.8 |
Passing Success |
65.5 |
35 |
Tackles |
19 |
57.1 |
Tackles Success |
78.9 |
44.9 |
Possession |
55.1 |
50.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
49.4 |
Report From 
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