Two deflected goals within the space of two second half minutes from Benjani and Hreidarsson handed Portsmouth victory at Craven Cottage.

An entertaining first half saw Fulham have the better of the chances but the Whites ultimately paid for their missed opportunities after the break when the visitors netted with two deflected efforts.

Fulham geared up for a fight back, making three changes on the hour mark but were unable to gather any momentum against a strong Portsmouth defence.

First Half Action

2 mins
The Whites were first to try their luck on goal in the second minute when Clint Dempsey seized on a piece of loose control from Fulham old boy, Sean Davis, and hit a first-time shot towards David James’ goal. His effort forced a comfortable save from the England stopper.

9 mins
The visitors, lining up with a 4-3-3 formation, were often looking to play Benjani or Muntari into space either side of Fulham’s two central defenders. That tactic gave the visitors their first opportunity of the match when Muntari sneaked through in the inside left position and forced Keller into a save.

13 mins
Neat play between Simon Davies and David Healy in a crowded right flank area gave the Northern Ireland striker a sniff of goal which he wasted little time in taking. His shot, however, was saved at the near post by James. Fulham certainly looked to be increasing the pressure as just moments before, Chris Baird hit a 22 yard shot with the outside of his right foot.

22 mins
A flick on by papa Bouba Diop almost had the Whites’ back line in a momentary spot of bother when Keller raced out to punch clear and collided heavily with Aaron Hughes. The Fulham goalkeeper quickly recovery his position before the ball was played in again and Hughes put behind for a corner.

29 mins
The Whites continued to look threatening when, just before the half hour mark, Dempsey, who was eventually ruled offside, rose high to divert Baird’s cross just wide of the far post. Baird’s team-mate on the other side of the Fulham defence, Paul Konchesky, was meanwhile engaged in an interesting battle with Portsmouth’s equally athletic John Utaka.

37 mins
The Whites nearly found their way through Portsmouth’s defence when a quickly taken Chris Baird free kick almost got through to the advancing Simon Davies

40 mins
Portsmouth hit back almost immediately when David James’ long throw found Utaka in the inside right position. His angled run took him into the Fulham penalty area. But with Konchesky in close attendance, Utaka could only muster a weak shot which the grounded Keller palmed away.

43 mins
The action switched rapidly to the other end when Hameur Bouazza skilfully evaded Glen Johnson before whipping a cross into the area where for David Healy to shoot straight at James. Fulham almost scored from an almost identical move seconds later, this time with Dempsey just failing to make contact.

Second Half Action

47 mins
The second half got off to a subdued start with Fulham apparently happy to let Portsmouth retain possession in their on half before pressing hard when the ball crossed the half way line.

49 mins – GOAL PORTSMOUTH – Utaka
The visitors took the lead early in the second half when Benjani received the ball with his back to goal and Carlos Bocanegra on marking duty. The Zimbabwe international managed to find space and get a shot away which deflected off Bocanegra past Keller.

52 mins – GOAL PORTSMOUTH – Hreidarsson
Portsmouth doubled their lead when Baird was dispossessed by Nico Kranjcar in a dangerous area, the ball was worked forward to Hreidarsson whose shot deflected off Baird and spun over Keller.

56 mins
Sean Davis was allowed plenty of space just outside Fulham’s penalty to fire a shot away which, fortunately for Fulham, was straight at Keller. Portsmouth were, by now starting to find the gaps in Fulham’s back line and, just a few minutes later, Benjani raced down the right flank and crossed for Davis, who totally miscued his chance.

60 mins
FULHAM SUBSTITUTION – Healy, Smertin, Baird OFF Kamara, Murphy, Seol ON
Lawrie Sanchez elected to ring in the changes just after the hour mark. Simon Davies moved to right back as Seol Ki-Hyeon came on to work the right flank. Elsewhere there were straight swaps in midfield with Danny Murphy coming on for Alexey Smertin and up front with Diomansy Kamara replacing David Healy.

62 mins
Hameur Bouazza attempted to get the Whites back into contention with a powerful free kick which stung the palms of David James. Moments later, Kamara and Dempsey combined on the edge of the area, creating an opportunity which Dempsey put wide of the post.

70 mins
The introduction of the new substitutes saw Fulham adopt a 4-2-4 formation, which often left the Whites lacking in numbers at the back, as was demonstrated in the 70th minute when Benjani ran into space down the right flank and was eventually stopped within shooting range by Konchesky.

78 mins
The Whites looked ruffled at the back with Utaka and Benjani looking troublesome with their pace and trickery. Despite Fulham’s attacking formations, the Whites were not able to make much of an impression going forward despite having the lion’s share of possession.

82 mins
Carlos Bocanegra had Fulham’s best chance of the second half when he rose highest at the back post to head a Hameur Bouazza corner down and wide.

88 mins
Benjani could have rounded off the scoring in the dying stages of the match when he again raced down the inside right channel, tricked his way past Bocanegra only fire tamely at Keller.