Portsmouth 0 - 1 Fulham

Zamora's fortunate winner

Updated: August 15, 2009, 8:20 AM UK

Sulaiman al-Fahim was caught up in traffic but arrived at Fratton Park just in time to witness Fulham's fortuitous winner and see for himself the work required at Portsmouth who began the season with a 1-0 defeat.

• Hart: End takeover saga now

Al-Fahim, who is fronting a potential takeover of Pompey, took his seat and saw Bobby Zamora break the deadlock with a fluke - before Roy Hodgson's men held on to start their Barclays Premier League campaign with maximum points.

The goal summed up the uncertainty at Pompey, Alexandre Gaydamak trying to sell the club and Paul Hart considered the favourite with the bookmakers to be the first top-flight manager sacked this season.

Fulham simply continued where they left off in May, with Europa League qualification meaning they face Amkar Perm on Thursday.

Zamora, despite his work rate, scored only two league goals last term. He was therefore due a stroke of luck - and after getting through the traffic on the A3, Al-Fahim saw the 13th-minute fluke.

Clint Dempsey set his sights on goal from 25 yards, and his effort struck Zamora on the back before spinning past David James and creeping in.

It could have got worse for Pompey when Danny Murphy's free-kick found Zamora at the far post, James tipping the header over the bar.

James had missed England's midweek friendly in Holland but recovered sufficiently from shoulder surgery to start against Fulham.

Sylvain Distin and James still being at the club for the start of the season has been seen as reason to be positive at Pompey, following the departure of Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson in the summer.

They enjoyed a spell of pressure after the opener.

Nadir Belhadj fed debutant Frederic Piquionne, the Frenchman forcing Mark Schwarzer into a low save with this drive.

Niko Kranjcar then lifted a free-kick over the bar from a dangerous position, and Belhadj should have levelled when Kranjcar's corner found him unmarked - but the left-back totally missed his header.

There was a bizarre incident when an eager ball boy ran on to the pitch to collect the ball while in play. Fulham sportingly gave the drop-ball straight back to James.

Pompey fashioned a chance to equalise early in the second half after work from Piquionne down the right flank. The ball was pulled back to Hayden Mullins, who picked out Younes Kaboul on the edge of the penalty area - but his finish was lifted over the bar.

Piquionne could not be faulted for effort - he raced down the left from Kranjcar's pass but when he crossed there was no support from the midfield. Kranjcar had an attempt himself on the hour, but his drive was too high - and he was also inches away from a Belhadj cross.

But Pompey were always one step from self destruction, which was the case when Marc Wilson missed a simple clearance from Zamora's cross. Fortunately for the young centre-back, Andrew Johnson planted his finish wide when he had plenty of time.

Hart responded by bringing on Kanu, who has just signed a one-month deal at Pompey - but the veteran could not earn his side a point.

Kaboul headed a late chance over.

David Nugent, who was jeered by supporters after being disciplined by the club in pre-season, also lifted an effort over.

Hart: End takeover saga now

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart responded to Sulaiman al-Fahim's appearance at the defeat to Fulham by calling for the takeover saga at Fratton Park to be sorted out as soon as possible.

Al-Fahim, who is fronting a potential takeover, was stuck in traffic but took his seat just in time to see Bobby Zamora's fortuitous winner.

Hart has not been told whether a change of ownership is imminent but has been told he has no money to spend to get the five new faces he wants.

The situation needs to be sorted, for the good of everyone at the football club," Hart said. ''There is no money to spend but it could improve."

Hart had David James in goal and Sylvain Distin at centre-back but his bench was made up with the likes of Joel Ward and Matt Ritchie.

"I hope there will be incomings,'' he added. "Good players, cheap or less-than cheap. Even if you have millions it doesn't mean you can sign anyone. I had a list in May, we whittled it down. We probably need another four or five.''

Hart felt his side performed well after falling behind to Zamora's fluke. "There is an element of frustration but looking at it, there are an awful lot of good things,'' Hart said. "I was pleased with the way we restricted Fulham. But it's going to be tough. We have to adjust our sights somewhat.''

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was pleased with getting off the mark on the opening day of the season.

"I'm very happy,'' Hodgson said. "The opening game of the season is much-awaited and you are always concerned that it might not go well for you.

"When it goes well you have to be delighted. Portsmouth is never an easy place and they have a talented team, so a 1-0 victory is something we're happy with - even if the goal was lucky.''

Zamora could have been sold to Hull when Fulham were interested in Peter Crouch but he stayed at Craven Cottage.

"There were quite a few clubs that wanted him,'' Hodgson said. "It was at the time we were competing for Peter Crouch and had he joined it would have made Bobby's position less tenable, so he was allowed to talk to clubs.

"Lucky for us he wasn't too interested and I haven't been interested in letting him go.''

Hodgson is set to sign Damien Duff from Newcastle on Monday, once personal terms have been agreed and the Republic of Ireland winger passes a medical. Hodgson said: "Newcastle and Fulham are in agreement but Damien's contract has still got to be sorted out. I'm optimistic that he will be a Fulham player.''