Portsmouth 2-0 Everton

2Slick

Matthew Taylor's wonder-goal set up a comfortable win for Portsmouth against a disappointing Everton side.

Taylor struck a first-time volley high over Everton keeper Tim Howard from fully 45 yards after 14 minutes.

And Kanu ensured Portsmouth's fine season continued with another clinical finish 11 minutes later.

Sean Davis almost made it a treble of stunning strikes before half-time, and despite an Everton improvement after the interval, Pompey were easy winners.

After some early sparring, Pompey broke the deadlock in quite stunning fashion.

The ball sat up perfectly for Taylor after Kanu's challenge, but no-one expected a left-foot volley from near the half-way line that Howard motionless as it dipped into the net.

Everton had a chance to level six minutes later when Joleon Lescott headed on Alan Stubbs' free-kick, but David James plunged to his left to save James Beattie's flick.

David Moyes switched Everton's system as Portsmouth threatened to over-run his side, moving defender Stubbs into midfield, switching Lescott from left-back into central defence, leaving Nuno Valente to drop back into his familiar role on the left side of defence.

It did not work as Portsmouth doubled their lead with another wonderful strike after 25 minutes.

Gary O'Neil's cross was met on the volley by Kanu, whose finish flew beyond Howard into the bottom corner.

Portsmouth midfield man Davis has vowed not to get his hair cut until he scores, and he was almost booking an appointment with his barber when he spotted Howard off his line but Everton's keeper was alert to the danger this time.

Beattie had endured a miserable 45 minutes, complete with a barrage of abuse from Portsmouth fans who remembered his time with rivals Southampton.

And it came as no surprise when he was replaced at half-time, along with struggling veteran David Weir.

Everton sent on Victor Anichebe and James McFadden in an attempt to shake some life into the lethargic Toffees.

It had little effect as Everton barely threatened a Portsmouth side who had enjoyed a very comfortable afternoon.

James had hardly been troubled, but he was forced to push Joseph Yobo's header away from Andy van der Meyde's corner with 16 minutes left.

Everton had least shown some signs of life, with substitute James Vaughan heading wide and Lee Carsley bringing a fine save from James, but it was all far too late.

Rodolph Douala almost set the seal on the perfect afternoon with a late shot that was blocked by Howard.

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Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp:
"It was a fantastic goal from Matty Taylor. He is a great striker of the ball.

"He did it against Aston Villa and it was another great finish from Kanu - a side-foot volley that was really top class.

# "We are having a terrific season and this was another good performance. The performance was very solid and the team worked hard as usual."
Everton manager David Moyes:
"We were terrible in the first half. We conceded two very good goals, but I can't come out and say we deserved anything because we didn't.

"We never got to grips with the game and just never got started. We had players out injured, but we still had players out there who we thought would get us a result.

"We missed a real drive and determination. We had a chance to get above Portsmouth and we didn't take it."

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Pamarot, O'Neil, Fernandes, Davis (Hughes 90), Taylor, Mwaruwari (Douala 62), Kanu (Kranjcar 81).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Thompson.

Booked: Johnson, Davis.

Goals: Taylor 14, Kanu 26.

Everton: Howard, Yobo, Stubbs, Weir (McFadden 46), Lescott, Van der Meyde (Vaughan 80), Davies, Carsley, Nuno Valente, Johnson, Beattie (Anichebe 46).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Hughes.

Booked: Beattie, Van der Meyde, Johnson, Stubbs.

Att: 19,528

Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).