Source: Telegraph
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Portsmouth 1: match report
They say adversity brings out the best in people, and Portsmouth proved that with a rousing win at Molineux to claim their first points of the season.
The Pompey Chimes may be ringing alarm bells, with the clubs financial problems well documented, but Paul Hart’s side must believe they can survive relegation again after their first league win since May, and their first away win since last November.
Portsmouth dominated the opening 45 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Kevin Prince Boateng had two decent efforts on goal before Hassan Yebda gave them a well-deserved lead in the 20th minute.
Wolves failed to clear a corner fully, and when Boateng chipped the ball back in from the right wing, Yebda made a late run between two defenders to plant a header past Wayne Hennessey from close range.
It was the the Algerian midfielder’s first goal for the club on his full league debut, and he could and should have made it 2-0 eh for Portsmouth, had plenty of time to direct his header from close range, after Boateng crossedshorl;y before half-time when he had another free header in front of goal, from Tommy Smith’s cross, but put the ball well wide of goal.
Smith also set up Aruna Dindane for a shot with the outside of his foot that Hennessey saved, as Portsmouth looked to increase their lead.
Wolves were woeful for most of the first-half, and hardly threatened Portsmouth’s goal until the closing minute, when David James made a terrific close range save from Andy Keogh’s shot, and then Tal Ben Haim blocked Kevin Doyle’s follow-up shot.
Not surprisingly, Mick McCarthy made changes at half-time and Wolves were transformed, taking control of the game and forcing Portsmouth on to the back foot.
Ryan Jarvis had a thumping shot deflected over the bar by Marc Wilson, who then cut out a cross from Michael Kightly with his shoulder. Wolves’ players and supporters called for a penalty, referee Howard Webb refused.
Greg Halford had a free header for Wolves but put it well wide, Sylvain Ebanks-Blake looked certain to score until a great interception from Steve Finnan, also making his Portsmouth debut.
Halford curled a free-kick just wide from 30 yards in the closing stages, as Portsmouth defended desperately, and the Wolves midfielder then saw his thumping shot through a crowded penalty area brilliantly tipped away by James, with Ebanks-Blake hoofing the loose ball over the bar when he should have scored.
