Cherries Picked Off

Last updated : 01 August 2007 By Jim Bonner
Lomana LuaLua scored a second half hat-trick after Niko Kranjcar's opener as Portsmouth beat Bournemouth 4-1 at Dean Court. Brett Pitman scored a late penalty late on for the Cherries.

Jamie Ashdown made his first start of pre-season whilst Sol and Sylvain were rested (and are expected to be again tomorrow at Newport). They were replaced by Noe Pamarot and Andy O'Brien with Lauren and Hriedarsson either side of them.

Sulley Muntari was also left out and his place was given to Niko Kranjcar in the centre midfield alongside Pedro Mendes. David Nugent and John Utaka started up front.

There were a few familiar faces lining up for Kevin Bond too. Former young Pompey player Darren Anderton captained a Cherries side that also contained Portsmouth trainee Jason Pearce and Paul "Scummer" Telfer.

Absolutely nothing happened during the first half, it was so boring that the radio commentary ended up nattering about anything bar the uneventful game. The most interesting thing they mentioned is the rumour that Pamarot is going on loan to AS Monaco, so we'll see what happens there.

There were a whole host of changes during the interval with Begovic, Traore, Cranie, Mvuemba, Benjani and Lomana LuaLua. There was some confusion over a number 18 coming on for the second half but it was actually John Utaka with new boots and shirt and he played the second half from right midfield.

Utaka immediately made an impact and added more enthusiasm to the much-changed side. Pompey took the lead soon after once Niko Kranjcar broke the deadlock after a 25 yard strike deflected off a Bournemouth defender and wrongfooted Neil Moss in the Cherries goal.

Unfortunately for Utaka his game on the right wing would come to a premature end as Jason Pearce caught him with the follow through of his challenge in the box. Gary Sadler told Tony Adams that he wasn't fit to continue and he was eventually replaced by Franck Songo'o.

Lomana LuaLua doubled the lead after his right footed finish just beat Moss and then he added another when one-one with the 'keeper. The flamboyant forward then ran at the Bournemouth defence and unleashed a powerful shot to complete a hat-trick in 16 minutes. It looks like the DR Congo captain is sending a message to Pompey fans and players threatening his forward position.

Late on in the game Christophe was penalised for high foot in the Bournemouth box and conceded a penalty. Brett Pitman converted and Pompey had conceded their first goal in pre-season, albeit from the spot.

Overall it was a good run out for the squad with the second half side giving Harry Redknapp some food for thought as he ponders who's going to start at Pride Park. LuaLua will have certainly put himself in the mind of the Pompey gaffer but hopefully John Utaka's injury isn't too serious.