Stoke City 1-0 Portsmouth
Fuller scored his first goal of the season
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By Tom Powell. |  |
Sunday, 22, Nov 2009 05:56
By Darren Estwick.
A first goal of the season by Ricardo Fuller secured Stoke a 1-0 win over Portsmouth after the away side had missed a penalty.
A rare moment of quality from Stoke created an opening for Fuller just outside the area and the Jamaican managed to finish with ease and secure three points for the home side.
Stoke continued their excellent home form with the win whilst Portsmouth's hard luck season continues.
The away side actually had the better of the game without really causing many problems for the Stoke defence. It was the type of match that cried out for an early goal and in the seventh minute that goal almost came.
Rory Delap gave away a penalty when he almost connected with the face of Aruna Dindane whilst attempting to challenge for a ball that was on the ground. It was an inexplicable challenge and rightly punished.
But Kevin-Prince Boateng stepped up to deliver a terrible penalty that was easily saved by Thomas Sorensen. The spot kick was awful and allowed the goalkeeper to make a comfortable stop.
The game was played in a difficult swirling wind which surely had an impact on the standard of quality which was of a low standard.
Portsmouth dominated possession but failed to create a genuine chance from open play. Stoke however rarely mustered a threatening attack on the Pompey goal in the first half.
In the second half Pompey continued their neat passing game. Midway through the half Jamie O'Hara produced another great strike from long range - following his goal at Blackburn two weeks ago - with the outside of his left foot but Sorensen managed to get down low and tip it around the post for a corner.
A few minutes later Dindane managed to steal inside the Stoke area to present himself a glorious opportunity to put Portsmouth ahead but managed to steer his shot wide of the post when very well placed
With 15 minutes left and virtually out of nothing Stoke managed to open the scoring through Fuller. It was a well worked move. The ball found Matthew Etherington who came in from the left after a one-two before finding the feet of Fuller who gave the keeper no chance.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of Portsmouth who are now used to playing well without getting their just deserts. It could have been worse.
With five minutes remaining Andy Wilkinson burst through three Portsmouth challenges on his way to running the length of the pitch before firing over the bar.
The result was hard on Portsmouth who looked the more likely but as is the norm this season failed to take advantage when the wind was in their favour. Stoke move up to tenth.