Osman delivers just on time and Everton get back on Euro track

LEON OSMAN struck in injury-time to give Everton victory after they had dominated the final stages against Portsmouth at Goodison Park last night.

The 23-year-old spun in the box to hook the ball high into the net just as it looked as if Pompey would hang onto a point.

Alan Stubbs had put Everton ahead in the first half with his first-ever goal at Goodison for the Merseysiders, but Aiyegbeni Yakubu scored a fine solo equaliser which Portsmouth defended almost to the death. Everton were suffering from a White Hart Lane hangover in the opening minutes, with their customary quick-tackling style missing. It allowed Diomansy Kamara two long runs from his own half virtually unchecked. Nigel Quashie and Patrik Berger had plenty of time and possession during the opening period, with Everton struggling to find their pattern and flow.

James McFadden was soon to contribute on that score - and one brave, battling run down the left ended with a lay-off for Campbell to drive in a 15-yarder which Arjan de Zeeuw blocked on the six-yard line.

Thomas Gravesen also started to put his stamp on the game, winning the ball and dictating play, but Pompey were soon back at Everton’s throats. Berger, on 18 minutes, unleashed a difficult bouncing 25-yarder which Richard Wright did well to stop - diving to his left - and Kamara again forced his way into the box to see his effort blocked at the last moment.

Everton’s response was a fine ball out to the right from Gravesen for McFadden, who cut inside Stefanovic to unleash a fierce drive which smacked into de Zeeuw amid loud appeals for a penalty on 20 minutes.

Gary O’Neil’s 26th-minute run in from the right ended with a pass to Berger. The former Liverpool man unleashed a stinging long-range effort which Wright was able to hold at the second attempt. Everton took the lead three minutes later after Steve Stone ly conceded a corner with Shaka Hislop about to claim the ball. From the resulting corner, Stubbs headed only the fourth goal of his Everton career.

But the lead lasted just a couple of minutes when Aiyegbeni Yakubu claimed a quick throw on the left, held off Yobo and got almost to the byline before blasting an angled drive into the far top corner of Wright’s net.

Everton sent on Bent and Kilbane for Campbell and McFadden, with Aliou Cisse taking over from Amdy Faye - all in the 73rd minute. Cahill and Kilbane both went close in quick succession before Gravesen forced his way into the box, his low drive palmed away by Hislop as Everton fought to clinch the points in one of their customary late surges.

Matthew Taylor took over from Yakubu with six minutes to go to aid the rearguard action, but it was not enough to stop Osman hooking the ball home in injury-time.

EVERTON: Wright, Hibbert, Stubbs, Yobo, Naysmith, Carsley, Osman, Gravesen, Cahill, McFadden, Campbell.

PORTSMOUTH: Hislop, Primus, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, O’Neil, Faye, Stone, Quashie, Berger, Yakubu, Kamara.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).