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Portsmouth pile misery on Bolton

  • Story Highlights
  • Summer signing John Utaka stars as Portsmouth beat Bolton 3-1
  • The $15.8m capture from Rennes scores as Pompey extend their good start
  • It is a third consecutive defeat for Sammy Lee's Bolton
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PORTSMOUTH, England -- John Utaka repaid another slice of his club record transfer fee as he scored in Portsmouth's 3-1 win over Bolton on Saturday.

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Utaka is proving another shrewd buy by Harry Redknapp.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp paid £8 million ($15.8 million) to sign Utaka from Rennes in the close season and the Nigeria striker already looks a bargain.

Portsmouth, who held Manchester United on Wednesday, have made a solid start to the season but Bolton are in disarray after opening with three defeats.

Yet Sammy Lee's side began the game well, French striker Nicolas Anelka putting them ahead with a 12th minute strike.

El Hadji Diouf clipped a pass through to Anelka down the left and the striker held off Hermann Hreidarsson before sliding his shot through David James's legs.

The lead only lasted four minutes as Bolton's defensive frailty cost them dearly.

Hreidarsson was lucky to get away without conceding a free-kick when he dispossessed Anelka on the halfway line, and O'Neill was granted time to measure a deep cross from the right to Utaka, who was in acres of space at the far post.

The Nigerian's knock-down gave Kanu the chance to bury a close range finish past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Kanu recently signed a new contract and the Nigerian's first goal since February was the perfect way to celebrate.

The Nigerian duo combined to put Portsmouth in front after half an hour.

Kanu somehow managed to flick a reverse pass to Utaka while falling to the turf and his compatriot showed tremendous pace as he accelerated away from Nicky Hunt and Gerald Cid.

Utaka's composure was perfect as he rounded Jaaskelainen before tapping in for his second goal for the club.

With recalled England defender Sol Campbell missing with a groin injury that could rule him out of Wednesday's friendly against Germany, Anelka caused Portsmouth plenty of problems and headed just wide before half-time.

Gary Speed had a chance to equalize on the hour when he timed his run perfectly to meet a Nolan cross, but his header was well saved by James.

That was as close as Bolton came and Matt Taylor scored the hosts' third goal in the 88th minute.

Referee Steve Tanner ruled Cid's challenge on Kanu was worthy of a spot-kick, even though the French defender appeared to take the ball.

Taylor gleefully took advantage as he stroked home the penalty. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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