Portsmouth boss John Mousinho saluted Australian striker Kusini Yengi after he helped fire the south coast side to a six-point lead at the top of the League One table as they beat second-placed Bolton 2-0.
Conor Shaughnessy was also on target as Pompey recorded a statement victory at Fratton Park.
Mousinho said: “It was a great result. We were a constant threat going forward.
“I can’t remember our goalkeeper having to deal with anything in the second half. I thought we were comfortable and pushed well.
“We had opportunity after opportunity and were perhaps a bit sloppy in the final third, but when we did get it right, we scored.
“Kusini’s performance against (Ricardo) Santos, who is one of the best centre-halves in the league, was terrific.
“We wanted him to lead the line, and he handled it superbly. He was pressing Santos and the goalkeeper, and we did at the back end of the game wonder if we needed to freshen things up a bit.
“But he showed how fit he is. It was his second league start, and his first here. It was a battle that I thought the referee handled pretty well.
“We’ll savour the moment, then turn the focus to the next game.”
In a fiercely-contested first half, Bolton should have taken the lead after 28 minutes. A powerful header by Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was brilliantly pushed away by Will Norris, and from six yards out and with an open goal, Dion Charles somehow fired the rebound wide.
Pompey then had the ball cleared off the line as Yengi’s shot was partly blocked by goalkeeper Nathan Baxter and Gethin Jones hooked it away.
Right on half-time a corner kick by Jack Sparkes was met by Shaughnessy to glance his header into the net.
Pompey controlled the second half and deserved their second goal a minute from time as Yengi hammered home from six yards from a Gavin Whyte cross.
Bolton boss Ian Evatt said: “I think that in the first half we managed to wrestle control of the game but misses like the one from Dion seemed to affect the flow of our game.
“It’s always frustrating when conceding right on half-time. I thought there was a clear foul leading up to the corner and I can’t understand why it’s not given.
“The second half, they put us on our toes and we couldn’t deal with it. We lost faith and belief, we rocked and wobbled, and it was very disappointing. That’s not what we are about. We are so much better than that.
“They made it very difficult for us and basically dominated on everything. I don’t think they outplayed us, but they outfought us. We’ve let ourselves down but the players have always responded when they have to. We’ve lost the game playing their way, not ours.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. 23 years ago, Ronaldinho fooled everyone with 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 free-kick against England and a star was born If Nico Williams moves to BarcaTrent Pep Guardiola knows how to TURN ON the Cyborg! AN INSPIRATION TO THE WORLD! Fabrizio Romano shares his new Lamine Yamal bed on Facebook.This is so funny Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credi...
Andre Onana is keen to stay at Manchester United despite interest from Monaco, sources have told ESPN.The French side asked for information from Onana's representatives about his potential availability this summer.Monaco also showed interest in former United goalkeeper David De Gea before he extended his contract with Fiorentina.Onana, however, is determined to stay at Old Trafford unless he is to...
Liverpool could still enter the market in one of their biggest-spending windows.Liverpool are reportedly set to launch crunch talks with Crystal Palace over England defender Marc Guehi. The Reds are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old and could make him their latest big-money signing.Palace are said to value Guehi at around £70million despite only one year remaining on the former Chelsea st...
Liverpool confirmed the signing of Germany international Florian Wirtz on Friday evening.Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken about the signing of Florian WirtzJurgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for Liverpool's acquisition of German international Florian Wirtz. The former Reds manager, who departed in 2024 and now serves as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer, maintains close ties ...
Chelsea no longer interested in MaignanPer Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are no longer interested in AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. They have not reactivated talks with the player and reportedly do not intend to do it later in the transfer window as they have confidence in their current crop of custodians at Stamford Bridge.Van Nistelrooy set to be sacked by Leicester after relegationLeicester City ...
Juventus, Napoli in contact with Chelsea striker JacksonSerie A clubs are interested in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.Jackson's future at Chelsea is in doubt after he suffered another red card in yesterday's Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo.Sky Italia's0Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Juventus and Napoli are interested in Jackson.Juventus have0 already made contact with the player's management ...
Bayern Munich rival Chelsea for Borussia Dortmund winger GittensBayern Munich are interested in Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens.Gittens saw a move to Chelsea fall through last week after Dortmund rejected their 342m offer on Tuesday's Club World Cup transfer deadline.Kicker reports that Bayern are planning a move to sign Gittens during this window.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl has left...
Frimpong reacts as Wirtz joins Liverpool in 3116m moveJeremie Frimpong has responded to Florian Wirtz’s move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, following in his footsteps.Just weeks after the Dutchman made the switch from the Bundesliga side to the Reds, Wirtz followed in a blockbuster 3116 million ($156m) move.0Shortly after the transfer was confirmed, Frimpong responded with the eyes emoj...
Rashford keen on joining Yamal’s BarcelonaManchester United star Marcus Rashford has expressed a desire to play alongside Lamine Yamal, seemingly sending a message to Barcelona to make a move.The England international has reportedly had his sights set on a Blaugrana transfer for a while. Now, the former Aston Villa loanee has arguably dropped a not-so-subtle hint that he’s eager to joi...
Quilindschy Hartman will join Burnley as soon as next weekFeyenoord have reportedly accepted a bid from Burnley for left-back Quilindschy Hartman.As Burnley were preparing an offer for the 23-year-old Hartman, the left-back was reported to have visited Burnley's training ground and met manager Scott Parker before the weekend.According to Dutch media, Feyenoord have accepted a €12 million bid...
- 1 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 4 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 5 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 6 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 7 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 8 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 9 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 10 Neymar flaunts 'candy floss' pink outfit that costs more than a family car