Source: Daily_Mail
Wolves 0 Portsmouth 1: Good news continues for Hart's men after first win
Was there no end to the good news for Portsmouth Football Club this weekend?
Their first points in the Barclays Premier League. Their first victory. The goal scored by a debutant who had been signed almost by chance. The players were also told their wages would be paid on Monday.
But most important was the confirmation that fresh investment this week will save the club from financial meltdown.
Sulaiman Al Fahim's ill-fated reign as owner was drawing to a close last night as a deal which will see the Dubai businessman retain just 10 per cent of the South Coast club reached fruition.
Should negotiations with a British Virgin Islands-based company called Falcondrone, who are backed by Saudi property magnate Ali al Faraj, bear fruit then Al Fahim's role will be reduced to that of Pompey non-executive chairman.
However, even that peripheral post is not expected to last long now Al Fahim has accepted he simply does not have the funds to ensure the club's long-term survival.
Sportsmail understands a conference call was held between Al Fahim, former owner Alexandre Gaydamak and representatives of Falcondrone Sunday.
Gaydamak continues to be involved in the negotiations despite selling to Al Fahim in August. Under the terms of that sale, Gaydamak must approve any subsequent sale if it occurs before Al Fahim refinances the club. As yet, the first instalment of Al Fahim's promised £50million cash injection has yet to arrive.
Matters have progressed swiftly since chief executive, Peter Storrie last week brokered a deal for Al Faraj to stump up £5m to ensure the players are paid - an arrangement exclusively revealed in Sportsmail on Saturday.
Al Fahim's spokesman, Ivo Ilic Gabara, said his client was still chasing the £50m loan to refinance the club, although time was clearly running out. 'There may be an opening for other investors so I know Mr Al Fahim is prepared to forego his full ownership of the club,' he said. 'But I don't think he would be open to a complete buy-out.'
Pompey pressure: Kevin-Prince Boateng challenges Christophe Berra for the ball
For once, though, match day saw furrowed brows replaced by grins all around as manager Paul Hart allowed himself a smile of satisfaction after seven straight League defeats were ended at Molineux. Members of the office staff, the groundsmen, canteen workers and the commercial department at Fratton Park were the focus of his pleasure.
'Football clubs are not just what you see on a Saturday,' said Hart. 'It has a heart and a soul. All the staff play a big part in what goes on. Make no mistake, we have been on the brink. I'm just interested in us remaining as a football club. So this win was for them.'
Hart's players also deserve credit. Steve Finnan's solid debut was overshadowed by that of match-winner Hassan Yebda, signed by Hart after the player's brother pitched up at Fratton Park and informed Pompey's boss that the midfielder was unhappy at Benfica.
Saluting the fans: Pompey boss Paul Hart waves to the away end after his side record their first victory of the season
Finnan, the ex-Liverpool right back, said: 'We have enough good players and we showed spirit today to get out of this if we can stick together.' Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was upset that a penalty appeal for handball against Marc Wilson was turned down by Howard Webb.
McCarthy said: 'Losing to West Ham here, drawing with Hull and losing to Portsmouth is simply not good enough.' For once, Hart was happy for the boot to be on the other foot on Saturday night.
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hennessey 6; Foley 5 (Kightly 46min, 5) Mancienne 5, Berra 6, Elokobi 5 (Maierhofer 80); Halford 5, Henry 6, Edwards 6, Jarvis 6; Keogh 5 (Ebanks-Blake 46, 5) Doyle 5. Booked: Kightly.
PORTSMOUTH (4-5-1): James 8; Finnan 6, Kaboul 6, Wilson 6, Ben-Haim 6; Brown 6, O'Hara 8, Yebda 7 (Mokoena 77), Boateng 7, Smith 7 (Vanden Borre 90); Dindane 6 (Webber 73, 5).
Referee: Howard Webb.
Man of the match: Jamie O'Hara.
