Late Greening strike lifts Fulham

PORTSMOUTH’S misery continued as Jonathan Greening’s first goal for Fulham condemned the financially-stricken club to another defeat in last night’s Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

Despite an improved Pompey display last night and a terrible miss from Fulham’s on-loan Italian striker Stefano Okaka, Fulham eventually got the breakthrough with 16 minutes left as Greening netted at the far post.

For Pompey, things are likely to get worse before they get better, as manager Avram Grant must now rally his beleaguered troops for a trip to Manchester United on Saturday.

Even a win for Portsmouth – who have lost four from the last seven – would not have been enough to lift them off the foot of the table.

However, it was a bright start by the visitors, as Prince Boateng tested Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer with an angled drive.

Frederic Piquionne almost got on the end of a quick counter-attack as Fulham – who had lost the last five league games – failed to deal with the ball on what was fast becoming a skiddy surface.

The Portsmouth striker should have done better when sent clear on 12 minutes, but Schwarzer stood up well to make the save.

Fulham could not retain possession in midfield, and struggled to get out of their own half for long spells.

However, it needed a fine one-handed save from England keeper David James to deny Aaron Hughes as his header at the back post from a corner was creeping in.

Okaka then somehow missed a glorious chance to score on his debut.

A deep cross from the left was nodded back across goal by Greening, with the ball falling to Okaka at the far post.

However, no more than two yards out and with the goal at his mercy, the on-loan Italian inexplicably guided the ball wide.

Portsmouth almost took the lead on 52 minutes when Aruna Dindane’s far-post header from a deep corner was beaten away by Schwarzer.

Damien Duff weaved into space for a shot from the edge of the Pompey penalty area, which was deflected behind.

Fulham finally got the breakthrough on 74 minutes when Greening converted at the far post after Duff dispossessed Nadir Belhadj and put the ball across the six-yard box for the winner.

FULHAM: Schwarzer, Kelly (Dikgacoi 55), Hughes, Hangeland, Shorey, Duff, Murphy, Baird, Greening, Okaka Chuka (Nevland 70), Zamora (Elm 77).

PORTSMOUTH: James, Finnan, Wilson, Ben-Haim, Belhadj, Yebda, Basinas (Owusu-Abeyie 82), Boateng, O’Hara, Dindane, Piquionne (Webber 62).

Referee: Anthony Taylor.