Burnden Aces

Portsmouth 2-3 Bolton Wanderers

• September 12, 2009 | By Chris Mann
• Short URL: http://b-ac.es/bba3c

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• Gary Cahill, Match Reports, Matt Taylor, Portsmouth, Premier League, Tamir Cohen
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Bolton claimed their first points of the season as Gary Cahill's late header gave them victory over Portsmouth.

Wanderers had twice lead at Fratton Park through Tamir Cohen and a Matt Taylor penalty, but the hosts fought back on both occasions, only to be beaten at the death.

The visitors began brightly and could have taken the lead inside five minutes as Cohen got on the end of Sam Ricketts' cross, only to head straight at David James in the Pompey goal.

Tommy Smith and Jamie O'Hara, both making their Portsmouth debuts, saw efforts fly wide soon after before Taylor horribly sliced a shot wide after being played clean through on goal.

With 13 minutes on the clock, Gary Megson's side took the lead through a fine piece of football.

Kevin Davies found Gretar Steinsson moving infield, who superbly picked out the run of Cohen before striking past James at his near post.

The lead lasted just twelve minutes as the hosts drew level midway through the half. O'Hara's inswinging corner was met by Younes Kaboul who directed his header into the far corner, despite the best attempts of Fabrice Muamba on the line.

Lightning almost struck twice moments later as the same set-piece found Kaboul, but this time he headed wide when unchallenged in the air.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, Wanderers went back infront. Kevin Davies went down inside the area under the challenge of Tal Ben Haim and referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot. Although replays have since shown the former Wanderers defender appeared to get a slight touch of the ball.

However, the penalty was given and Taylor stepped up to send James the wrong way and score against his former club, opening his account for the season.

It took a while for the first real chance to come after the break, and it proved to be Portsmouth's second equaliser of the afternoon.

O'Hara's shot was charged down well by a combination of Taylor and Zat Knight, but Kevin-Prince Boateng reacted quickest to slot the ball beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen to level up the scores.

With that goal, Megson went for broke. Ivan Klasnic replaced Ricketts for his Wanderers debut, while Chris Basham and Gavin McCann also entered the game in the places of Tamir Cohen and Mark Davies respectively.

Despite adding another striker into the mix, it was a defender who gave Bolton the points.

Jlloyd Samuel's long throw was flicked on by Klasnic and then Basham, before Cahill reacted quickest to a flick of his own by heading into the bottom corner.

The Portsmouth defence were clearly unhappy that the officials had failed to pick up the offside position held by Taylor, but he was deemed to be inactive and the goal stood.

As the full time whistle went, Bolton chalked up their first win and points of the season, ahead of the visit of Stoke City to the Reebok Stadium next weekend.

Portsmouth: James, Vanden Borre, Kaboul, Ben Haim, Belhadj, Mokoena, Brown, O'Hara (Yebda 71), Boateng, Smith (Webber 83), Piquionne
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Mullins, Williamson, Utaka, Kanu
Booked: Kaboul, Belhadj
Goals: Kaboul 25, Boateng 63

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts (Klasnic 71), Knight, Cahill, Samuel, Steinsson, Cohen (McCann 77), M Davies (Basham 71), Muamba, Taylor, K Davies
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Robinson, Chung-Yong, A O'Brien
Goals: Cohen 13, Taylor 41(pen), Cahill 89

Attendance: 17,564
Referee: Chris Foy

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