Diarra punishes Bolton

A late goal from Lassana Diarra gave Portsmouth a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Bolton in the Premiership this afternoon. It was a brilliant finish from Diarra, but there were apparent questions of offside.

Portsmouth had five 0-0 draws prior to the match, more than any other Premiership club, while Bolton were attempting to keep a fourth successive clean sheet.

Portsmouth did not have a single shot in the first half but Bolton spurned a hatful of clear-cut chances. Bolton might have been ahead in the first few minutes when Kevin Davies shot on the turn through a crowd of players but, fortunately for Portsmouth, straight at James.

Harry Redknapp elected to bring on Kanu in place of Milan Baros to sting some life into the quiet Pompey attack.

Bolton sent on the aerial threat of angular Pole Grzegorz Rasiak and he forced James into a sharp parry and a great save, James also clawed away a Steinson volley from inside a congested area as Bolton continued to press.

Diarra finally got the goal at the end to ensure Portsmouth's push for European football is still firmly within their grasp.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Gardner, Nolan, Campo, Guthrie (Cohen 87), Diouf (Rasiak 60), Davies, Taylor (Giannakopoulos 82).

Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Samuel.

Booked: Guthrie.

Portsmouth: James, Lauren, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Pamarot (Aubey 27), Hughes, Diarra, Diop, Kranjcar (Utaka 74), Baros (Kanu 46), Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Davis.

Booked: Hughes.

Goal: Diarra 81.