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Match Report
Bolton v Portsmouth 27 November 2004
Bolton 0 - 1 Portsmouth
Portsmouth claim away scalp
Life without Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth began with an excellent 1-0 win on their travels against high-flying Bolton Wanderers. A week that has seen Fratton Park engulfed by Redknapp's departure and soundbites from the boardroom, saw black clouds lifted by Arjen De Zeeuw's solitary strike on the stroke of half time.
Portsmouth's win was orchestrated from the stands by the man thought to be at the centre of Redknapp's departure, Velimir Zajec, while former allies Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan marshalled the touchlines.
The Fratton Park faithful will need convincing that a bright future is on the horizon but a first away win of the season will appease even the most sceptical.
The first period began with both sides sloppy in their distribution, with sustained pressure at a premium as solitary target men struggled against a blanket of defenders.
For 20 minutes the game had no merit as a spectacle but once Jay-Jay Okocha woke the home crowd with a snap-shot that drifted wide, slowly it become a contest of some promise.
With on-loan wide man El Hadji Diouf a lively presence, Bolton began to cultivate openings and after the Senegal international fed his captain in the box, Okocha bent a curling effort narrowly over the top.
After an understandably tepid start, Portsmouth began to play their way into the game and with the classy Patrik Berger at the hub of much of their best work, they always looked dangerous on the counter.
Ricardo Fuller put in a shift full of endeavour as a lone striker and were it not for the alertness of Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal, the former Preston favourite could have capitalised on Ivan Campo's wayward back header.
Diouf then brought a fine stop from young Jamie Ashdown, who looks a prospect in the Portsmouth goal, after Okocha had drawn three players towards him and then played a deft ball through.
Berger then played an exquisite pass that cut through Bolton's back-line but Fuller could only angle a drive wide, after cutting inside Bruno N'Gotty down the left flank.
After watching his team-mates squander much of his promptings, Berger went from provider to predator but he too could only find a grateful recipient in Jaaskelainen, after working space well in the Bolton box.
At the other end, Diouf's diving header was denied at the far post by Andy Griffin's athletic intervention and then, with the half reaching its conclusion, came De Zeeuw's crucial intervention.
After Matthew Taylor made best use of Nicky Hunt's trailing leg, Gary O'Neil whipped in the resulting free kick from the left and De Zeeuw stooped to head home from close range.
After the interval, the second half quickly settled into a pattern of Bolton pressure and Portsmouth counter, with Fuller an excellent outlet for the South Coast travellers.
Within minutes of the restart, Kevin Davies was again denied by a smart stop from Ashdown, which perhaps he should have dispatched when clear six yards from the Portsmouth goal.
Bolton's free-scoring defender Radhi Jaidi was left ruing the type of chance he normally dispatches when he hurriedly scooped over from close range, as the home side pumped the box with the type of balls Sam Allardyce has been unapologetic about all week.
Berger then went close to notching a wonder goal when picking the ball up deep in his own half, he dropped his shoulder past two tired challenges but ultimately fired narrowly wide from 18 yards.
Fuller brought a fine stop from Jaaskelainen with a daisy-cutter to his near post and then from the corner, De Zeeuw glanced over the top when unmarked.
Bolton's detractors would argue the game then reverted to type, as Portsmouth were bombarded with high balls and robust challenges but save from an effort from Davies which was blocked, the away side were comfortable in their defensive duties.
Okocha dragged an effort wide after a typically exciting run and then at the death, Portsmouth sub Amdy Faye threatened to put gloss on a polished performance when he nearly steered home from an acute angle.
Report From 
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