Sloppy start costs Pompey

12 April 2012

Matt Taylor got Bolton's festive fixtures off to a flying start with the early opener in a 2-1 win over Portsmouth at the Reebok Stadium.

Taylor made the breakthrough against his former club after just 49 seconds with a clever finish.

Ricardo Gardner marked his recall to the side by extending their lead before Peter Crouch scored a consolation goal for Pompey.

Taylor clipped the ball over Hermann Hreidarsson following Kevin Davies' flick on with Andy O'Brien also involved in the move.

Jlloyd Samuel then picked out Taylor and he released Gardner, who made no mistake from close range.

Gardner almost added a third in the 10th minute when he got on the end of a cross from Gretar Steinsson but smashed a shot wide

The visitors responded and pulled a goal back in the 20th minute through Crouch - his eighth of the Premier League campaign. The striker got on the end of a delightful cross from Niko Kranjcar to head into the bottom corner of the net.

Pompey could have drawn level in the 42nd minute when Jermain Defoe stole in on the blindside of Gary Cahill but Jussi Jaaskelainen saved bravely at his feet.

After the break James almost gifted the hosts a goal when he mis-kicked a routine back pass from Sol Campbell and Johan Elmander looked set to take advantage of the mistake. However, David James recovered just in time to take the ball off the striker's toes.

Bolton almost added to their tally in the closing stages when Taylor whipped in a shot that was deflected by Sol Campbell.

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