Everton FC 1, Portsmouth 0 - full time report

09 May 2010 20:11
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov fired a stunning injury-time winner to send Portsmouth out of the Barclays Premier League as gallant losers.[LNB]The Russian substitute struck from distance in the fourth minute of time added on, just as relegated Pompey looked to be bowing out of the top flight with a creditable draw.[LNB]Victory was no more than the Toffees deserved after they squandered a multitude of chances at Goodison Park but Pompey - who at least have the FA Cup final to look forward to at the end of a dismal season - could feel aggrieved.[LNB]Anthony Vanden Borre appeared to score a perfectly good goal in the second half only to have it ruled out for offside.[LNB]Until Bilyaletdinov's late intervention, Portsmouth's fans had cheered the loudest throughout the game.[LNB]Despite the sadness of their plight, the visiting supporters, some of them in fancy dress, turned up in the mood to party at the end of a seven-year spell in the top flight.[LNB]Their constant singing - tinged with gallows humour over their uncertain future - was a credit to the south coast club and they will at least get one last hurrah next weekend.[LNB]With this afternoon's result counting little for either side, Avram Grant used what reports claim could be his last league match in charge of Portsmouth to rest goalkeeper David James.[LNB]The England international was a notable omission as Grant made five changes, although a lengthy injury list limited him to just six substitutes.[LNB]The presence of the inspirational Jamie O'Hara on the bench, after four games out with a back injury, was at least a bonus.[LNB]Jamie Ashdown took James' place while Ricardo Rocha, Hayden Mullins, Papa Bouba Diop and Marc Wilson also came into the Pompey side.[LNB]Everton, who knew they would finish eighth regardless of the result, were without Tim Cahill due to a minor groin strain and Mikel Arteta replaced the injured Phil Neville as captain.[LNB]Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell, whose future remains the subject of speculation, both returned.

Source: Liverpool_Echo