Stoke City 1-0 Portsmouth: Fuller Strike Downs Pompey

Stoke City ensured that Portsmouth remain rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Paul Hart's side at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.

Kevin Prince Boateng had a golden chance to put the away side ahead with just six minutes on the clock, but his weak spot kick was saved by Thomas Sorensen.

Ricardo Fuller gave Stoke all three points in the second half with a tidy finish at the end of a lovely passage of one-touch football.

Portsmouth were dealt a blow just before kick off when David James picked a calf injury. Jamie Ashdown replaced the England international between the sticks.

Tony Pulis made two changes to his Stoke side. Andy Wilkinson started at right back while Glen Whelan dropped to the bench.

The opening stages of the game proved to be scrappy with neither side able to keep possession for long.

But then Portsmouth were given the chance to take the lead. Rory Delap caught Aroune Dindane in the face with his boot and the referee Kevin Friend had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Boateng stepped up but to Paul Hart's understandable frustration his effort was rather tame and Sorensen was able to dive to his left and make a comfortable save.

Just short of the hour mark the changes the home fans had been demanding so vociferously materialised. Liam Lawrence replaced Salif Diao and James Beattie made way for Mamady Sidibe.

They had the desired effect.

Whereas in the first half it was Portsmouth who were on top, Stoke had gained the upper hand. Pompey still threatened sporadically however - Dindane and O'Hara both did their best to give their team the lead.

It was Stoke who were to finally gain it. The goal was a lovely example of one touch football that the home side are hardly renowned for.

Etherington played a neat one two with Whitehead and set up Fuller who curled his finish beyond Ashdown. It was his first league goal of the season.

Things could have got even better for Stoke with four minutes left. Andy Wilkinson broke out of defence, rode a challenge, got into the box and unleased a shot that appeared to be arrowing into the top corner past a stranded Ashdown. But the ball rose just a little too much and the score stayed the same.

Fuller’s solitary strike proved to be enough to give Stoke all three points and leave Portsmouth staring nervously at the trapdoor that is opening below them.

Alan McGuinness, Goal.com