Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham 1 Portsmouth 0: Avram Grant cops a sucker punch at Craven Cottage
The off-field problems continue to mount at Fratton Park but, in the face of hugely the commitment and desire of Portsmouth's players cannot be questioned. That much was in evidence against Fulham, despite the result. [LNB]But valiant defeats are not what Portsmouth need right now and unless Avram Grant can find a way to turn dedication to the cause into much-needed wins, Portsmouth are surely doomed.[LNB]The watching Andy Murray must have been impressed by Portsmouth's heart. For 90 minutes, the action might even have taken his mind off losing the Australian Open final to Roger Federer.[LNB]Fulham's victory, with a goal 15 minutes from time, was down to Portsmouth failing to keep doing the right things rather than any improvement in their own play.[LNB] All cheers: Fulham mob goalscorer Greening (centre)[LNB]Grant said: 'We played very well, we created the better chances. We did everything well. The players are very sad and very frustrated. After what has happened off the pitch they gave 100 per cent, but we missed too many chances and you cannot do that.[LNB]'I don't like the word fate too much; it is more a matter of concentration in the box. In the last two games we have created more chances than before but we haven't scored. [LNB] Green with envy: Jonathon Greening celebrates his match-winner[LNB]'We performed very well, not like a team that is bottom of the league. I am very proud because even though we are bottom and there are problems off the pitch, we still played with great spirit.'[LNB]Portsmouth came desperately close to taking advantage of a slump in Fulham's form and manager Roy Hodgson was relieved about his side's return to winning ways after they had lost their last five games.[LNB]Hodgson said: 'We showed an awful lot of character in the second half. It was important to break the run of bad results and, quite frankly, we have played a lot better than that in some of the defeats. [LNB]'I was pleased with the grit that the players showed out there.[LNB]'We really struggled to get going and all credit to Portsmouth for their first-half performance. The skill they showed was very good. It knocked us back a little bit and we were a little fortunate that it was 0-0 at half-time.'[LNB] Debut: Fulham new boy Nicky Shorey hurdles Kevin-Prince Boateng of Portsmouth[LNB]Despite Fulham being without six first-team regulars striker Andy Johnson will have exploratory knee surgery in the US today Hodgson could find no place in his starting XI for Chris Smalling, the centre back Sir Alex Ferguson will take to Manchester United for £10million in the summer. [LNB]Keeping you awake: Andy Murray (top left)[LNB]Loan acquisitions Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka came straight into the Fulham team while Grant made five changes from the side which lost 2-0 to Manchester City on Sunday. Africa Cup of Nations trio Aruna Dindane, Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda were all welcome returnees.[LNB]The changes by Grant certainly had the desired effect in the openingmoments with Portsmouth hardly looking like a side with the world ontheir shoulders.[LNB] Moving the ball around well on the slick surface, Frederic Piquionne, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Dindane tried their luck and, despite not unduly troubling goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, Fulham's supporters felt the need to gee up their side.[LNB]David James was called upon in the 25th minute to palm away Aaron Hughes's header at the back post but Portsmouth were quickly back on the front foot, Boateng dancing past three defenders although his shot was tame.[LNB]Okaka was unfortunate when he did not get a better connection on DamienDuff's free-kick from close range, but the same could not be said when,moments later, the Roma loanee sent a header wide of the from two yardsafter he was teed up by Jonathan Greening.[LNB] Rot stopper: Greening (centre) celebrates with his Fulham team-mates[LNB]Referee Anthony Taylor, on his debut in the top flight, made his first big decision when he waved away Zamora's appeal for a penalty after the striker had tumbled under Angelos Basinas's challenge.[LNB]Portsmouth showed no nerves as the second half began with Dindane once again testing Schwarzer. But by inviting Fulham on, they were the architects of their downfall.[LNB]Belhadj's mistake allowed Duff to cross from the right and, although Zamora missed with an attempted header, the ball dropped for Greening to smash home from 12 yards. [LNB]'I thought Zamora was offside,' said a rueful Grant. [LNB]The visitors rallied, but it proved to be too little too late. It would be cruel on Portsmouth if that turned out to be the story of their season.[LNB] [LNB] Avram Grant blasts Portsmouth broken promises as Premier League holds back £2m from Kaboul and Begovic salesLIVE: FA CUP FOURTH ROUND REPLAY - Leeds v Tottenham - as it happens Andy Johnson's knee injury could rule Fulham striker out for the seasonKamara leaves Fulham for Celtic as Hoops also pick up Motherwell's Slane
