Portsmouth 0 – 1 Fulham – 15th August – Luck is on Fulham’s side

Fulham started off their 2009/10 campaign in winning fashion as they brushed aside a Portsmouth team still in turmoil.

Lady luck shone on Roy Hodgson’s side as a Clint Dempsey’s shot took a heavy deflection off Bobby Zamora and went straight into the back of the net in the 13^th minute. A goal that even Hodgson himself admitted was ‘fortuitous’ proved to be the perfect start for a rejuvenated Fulham who are aiming to better their 9^th place finish last season.

For the remaining 77 minutes Portsmouth, however hard they worked, failed to really trouble Fulham or make them feel under pressure. A Nadir Belhadj header from 5 yards which he missed the target was really the highlight of an otherwise dull and dreary afternoon for Paul Hart and co.

The proposed takeover by Sulaiman Al Fahim perhaps contributed somewhat to the lack of concentration and focus in the Portsmouth side who, if today’s game is anything to go by, could be in some trouble this season.