Pompey defeat Fulham for final spot

Both sides fielded a number of new signings and a competitive contest was settled just before the break thanks to a predatory strike from the Pompey striker.

Muntari nearly doubled Portsmouth's lead eight minutes from time when he hit a thunderous 25-yard strike that just whistled past the post and Gary O'Neil hit the post with a fierce strike in injury-time as Pompey finished the stronger.

Portsmouth had the game's opening chance after five minutes as O'Neil shaped to shoot from the edge of the area before slipping in David Nugent, but the striker could only sidefoot tamely at goalkeeper Tony Warner.

Nugent wriggled free down the left and fed Nico Kranjcar but the midfielder dragged his shot wide of Warner's right post from the edge of the box just before the half-hour mark. Fulham then spurned two good opportunities as the first period drew to a close.

Simon Davies found a yard of space on the right flank and the winger's curling cross eluded everybody except the onrushing Clint Dempsey at the back post, but the midfielder headed straight at David James before Brian McBride's follow-up was deflected wide.

The resulting corner was only half-cleared and another Davies cross again found Dempsey free in the box but his low shot was blocked.

Portsmouth took full advantage of the reprieve and went ahead on the stroke of half-time.

Benjani started the move out on the right with a cheeky backheel that found Nugent and the striker fed O'Neil on the edge of the box.

The midfielder's strike hit Zat Knight and the ball fell to a lurking Benjani, who slotted home from seven yards.