Bolton have a good record at Fratton Park and it looked like it was going to continue after some bad defending by Djimi Traore allowed Nicholas Anelka to slot under James and give Wanderers the lead. The Pompey defence had a different look as Harry was forced to field an all-left-footed back four due to injuries.
It looked like we'd equalised straight away as an incorrect corner decision was "rectified" when Kanu nodded in with a Bolton player all over him, only to have his goal chalked off.
Referee Steve Tanner would then make a mistake in our favour after a blatant foul by Hermann on Anelka was ignored and allowed the ball to be passed to Gary O'Neil who produced a great cross into Utaka in the box. He then touched the ball nicely to Kanu who finished with ease to level the scores.
Pompey then took the lead with a superb individual goal as John Utaka broke away from the Bolton defence with pace into their half and continued to carry the ball into the box and then rounded Jussi Jaaskelainen and slotted the ball in the net in one swift move. It was quite simply breathtaking.
That goal ensured that the home side went in at half time with a lead in an eventful first period marred by awful officiating on the account of both sides.
The second half lacked quality and any real good chances. The patchy nature of the game seemed to suit the visitors more than us but the best chance they could create came when Gary Speed's free header was well caught by James.
Kanu would then ease any nervous feelings the Pompey fans had as he bamboozled Cid and won a contentious penalty after being taken down in the box. Matty Taylor lashed in the spot kick to condemn Bolton to their third straight defeat and the bottom of the league as Pompey temporarily went 4th.
Overall, we deserved the win and credit must firstly go to Harry Redknapp for dropping Nugent to the bench in favour of Kanu who had a massive influence on the game. His decision to select four tall defenders was also justified to combat Bolton's physical prowess. Kudos to them who coped really well despite all the worries that having "no right feet" would unsettle them.
We needed that win with trips to Chelsea and Arsenal on the horizon. Let's hope that we can get most of our players fit before then.
Pompey Player Ratings
David James: 7 - Will be disappointed to let Anelka's shot under him but made a few decent saves.
Djimi Traore: 6 - Did OK at right back considering who he was up against.
Sylvain Distin: 7 - Another good performance.
Hermann Hreidarsson: 7 - Won most of the aerial battles.
Matthew Taylor: 7 - Solid showing, great penalty.
Gary O'Neil: 7 - Good cross leading to the equaliser.
Richard Hughes: 6 - Did a job.
Sean Davis: 7 - Good energetic performance.
John Utaka: 8 - Outstanding solo goal. He looks like a great signing.
Benjani: 6 - Full of running but not as much impact as he's had in the previous two games.
Kanu: 9 - Scored (twice), won a penalty and generally had a major influence on the game.
Substitutes
Jamie Ashdown
Richard Duffy
Martin Cranie: N/A - Late sub.
Arnold Mvuemba: N/A - Even later sub.
David Nugent: 6 - Joined in with the play well.