Kanu goal moves Portsmouth nearer safety

18 April 2009 18:20
Twelve minutes of normal time remained when, with his first touch, Nadir Belhadj whipped in a left-foot corner and fellow substitute Nwankwo Kanu got the merest of touches to beat the otherwise impeccable Jussi Jaaskelainen who had threaten to deny Pompey on the eve of his 34th birthday.[LNB]Having come so close to embarrassing Chelsea last time out and with a reputation for spoiling parties, Bolton were dangerous opponents on paper.[LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League Round-up: Sunderland boost survival hopes as Boro slip closer to dropChelsea almost throw it away against BoltonBoltons Gary Megson rues return to the HawthornsPremier League relegation battlePaul Hart defends safety-first approach at PortsmouthBut this was one afternoon when Gary Megson's team lacked ambition and failed to ignite. That they came close to taking a point was mainly down to their keeper who, in the first half alone, kept his team in the game with three smart saves from Glen Johnson, as accomplished on the right side of midfield as he has been at fullback where his replacement, Younes Kaboul, also put in a commanding display.[LNB]Portsmouth had enjoyed vast swathes of possession when they suffered a potentially crucial blow. Nico Kranjcar, so influential to their attacking play, went down under a late challenge from Gavin McCann and was surrounded by paramedics before being stretchered off with his leg strapped. [LNB]That the game was won in the very next move, courtesy of the Croatian's enforced replacement, said everything about Portsmouth's desire and determination not to get downhearted. "The performance was excellent, especially in the first half," said caretaker manager Paul Hart. "We didn't want halftime to come.[LNB]"We weren't as fluid in the second half but I said if we could retain our patience we might get a goal somehow and we got what we deserved. Everyone put their shift in but you don't like to see your best players coming off. Nico has twisted his ankle and it's a worry to us because he's been integral to the way we play."[LNB]Bolton, to be fair, also lost one of their key assets as early as the 11th minute when Ricardo Gardner hobbled off. But Megson, whose team now lead Pompey on goal difference, did not use this as an excuse. "We didn't play with enough intensity," he said. "I don't think we are safe yet. We still need to get over the line." [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph