Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham 3 Portsmouth 1: Nevland cranks the pressure on Adams
As one of the finest England defenders of the past 25 years, Tony Adams knows the value of giving nothing away. As the manager of Portsmouth [LNB]yesterday he could only sit and watch in helpless dismay as his players did just the opposite.[LNB]Asked if, given his reputation as a no nonsense centre-back, he was particularly disappointed to see his defence perform so ineptly, the former Arsenal stalwart replied: 'Even if I'd been a centre-forward, I think I would have been upset by that.'[LNB]The pressure is mounting on Adams as Portsmouth slide towards the relegation zone. Two wins in 15 Premier League matches reflect badly on the man given the role of stepping into the shoes of Harry Redknapp, even if he has been stripped of his best players and is struggling with injuries.[LNB][LNB] Super sub: Erik Nevland celebrates his second goal with Andy Johnson and Dickson Etuhu [LNB] Fulham v Portsmouth: How the game unfolded[LNB]FULHAM NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]PORTSMOUTH NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]Adams feels the chill - chairman and owner locked in talks over future of struggling Portsmouth boss[LNB]Stoke 1 Man City 0[LNB]Arsenal 0 West Ham 0[LNB]Aston Villa 0 Wigan 0[LNB]Bolton 3 Tottenham 2[LNB]Hull 2 West Brom 2[LNB]Middlesbrough 0 Blackburn 0[LNB] But Portsmouth were so woeful at the back that Fulham[LNB], needing three points after only one win in the previous nine League matches, were able to stroll to a comfortable victory without playing particularly well. A clinically taken opener from Andy Johnson and two second-half efforts from Erik Nevland gave a false impression of the afternoon - but summed up Portsmouth's decline.[LNB]Adams remained philosophical, claiming that, despite suggestions circulating last night that he had been sacked, his job is not under threat. The club had also heard the rumours and insisted there was no truth in stories of his dismissal. That situation may not last long.[LNB][LNB] Tough time: Portsmouth manager Tony Adams during the match at Craven Cottage[LNB] Adams says he intends to be active in the final two days of the transfer window before generating a team spirit that can inspire a revival.[LNB]'I've no fears about my future,' said the Portsmouth boss. 'Everything is good, It's a tough period. I'll be delighted when the transfer window closes. We're not alone because heads have been turned all over the country. But once the window closes we'll get some team spirit going to keep us in the division.'[LNB]Fulham manager Roy Hodgson offered his sympathy, recognising similarities with his own situation when he arrived at Craven Cottage.[LNB]'Tony's at a low ebb,' said the Fulham manager. 'But what's happening to him is what happened to me. The performances are not bad but the results are bad, and there's only so many times you can tell the players not to be disheartened before you sound like a long-playing record. I think Portsmouth are a good team and are playing quite well.'[LNB]The vital difference was the defending. Fulham were solid and gave little away. Portsmouth simply went missing in action. 'We gambled on a few offsides,' said Adams. 'We tried to hold impossible lines and it was disappointing because we had worked on it all week.'[LNB] Breakthrough: Andrew Johnson scores the opening goal [LNB]The absence of the injured Sol Campbell appeared to disrupt their organisation, allowing Johnson the freedom of the penalty area to stroll on to Clint Dempsey's through pass and comfortably give Fulham an early lead.[LNB]Two incidents could have pulled Portsmouth level. But it was not their day. Younes Kaboul, Campbell's replacement, smacked a header against the bar from Jermaine Pennant's corner with Mark Schwarzer helpless. But, perhaps, he should have scored.[LNB]Five minutes into the second half David Nugent looked odds on to score until John Pantsil ran into him and knocked him over. It looked as clear a penalty as you will ever see. But referee Alan Wiley decided otherwise and Adams refused to deliver a managerial rant. 'I'm not interested in referees or bad luck,' he said, showing a level of respect that many others would do well to follow.[LNB][LNB] Look behind you: Clinton Dempsey is challenged by Hayden Mullins[LNB]The incident turned out to be significant as Fulham pulled away with two well-taken efforts by Nevland. The Norway forward, who scored some important goals to help Fulham stay up last season, has had to wait his turn following the signings of Johnson and Bobby Zamora.[LNB]But Zamora's recent loss of form and confidence persuaded Hodgson to throw Nevland into the fray, with dramatic results. A well-timed run from the halfway line on to a Simon Davies through-ball allowed him all the time he needed to beat David James comfortably. [LNB]A second effort from 10 yards on the turn, from another Davies pass, wrapped up the points. Nugent's header six minutes from time was mere consolation for Portsmouth.[LNB][LNB] I don't believe it: Peter Crouch rues a missed chance [LNB]Adams will remain the bookies' favourite for the sack after this latest setback. But he intends to keep plugging away with two more signings before the transfer window closes.[LNB]With Portsmouth insisting that rumours of his dismissal were 'absolute rubbish' Adams said he was coping with the pressure. 'Ask me in three years how it's going,' he said cheerily. [LNB] Fulham v Portsmouth: How the game unfolded[LNB]FULHAM NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]PORTSMOUTH NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]Adams feels the chill - chairman and owner locked in talks over future of struggling Portsmouth boss[LNB]Stoke 1 Man City 0[LNB]Arsenal 0 West Ham 0[LNB]Aston Villa 0 Wigan 0[LNB]Bolton 3 Tottenham 2[LNB]Hull 2 West Brom 2[LNB]Middlesbrough 0 Blackburn 0[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
