Portsmouth welcomed Everton to Fratton Park hoping to do the double over David Moyes’ side and grab a vital three points that would move them away from the relegation zone.

They were boosted by the news that a calf injury meant no Tim Cahill for the visitors, meaning a start for Louis Saha and also a debut for Danish defender Lars Jacobsen.

The south coast side, meanwhile, were without Jermaine Pennant who picked up a calf problem against Middlesbrough last weekend meaning Glen Johnson took his place in midfield with Younes Kaboul filling it at right-back.

Yet Everton began the game brightly and took the lead as early as the fourth minute after Sylvian Distin brought Louis Saha down just outside the area.

It was a dangerous place in which to concede a set-play and the home side were brutally punished as Leighton Baines stepped up and curled a super kick over the wall and in off David James’ left-hand post.

With their lead established the visitors looked fully in control of the game yet were unable to extend their lead and mid-way through the first-half, Portsmouth grabbed an equaliser.

Everton failed to clear a corner convincingly, allowing Hayden Mullins to pump a ball back into the box. Johnson met his ball and headed it across goal where Peter Crouch was on hand to head home at the far post.

The goal rejuvenated Paul Hart’s men who proceeded to look the better side yet the best chance of the remaining first 45 minutes fell to the visitors.

A Sol Campbell header fell kindly to Jo just outside the box, but under no pressure the Brazilian slammed a left-footed shot well wide with a poor finish.

Everton emerged for the second-half much brighter yet it was Tim Howard who was the first goalkeeper to be worked in the second-half.

A David Nugent cross from deep was flighted into the box and headed goalwards by Crouch but the American claimed the ball comfortably.

Minutes later and Howard was called into action again after Crouch and Nugent combined neatly in a move that culminated with the former Preston North End man firing in a shot at close range which the Everton stopper did well to block.

Everton, meanwhile, for all their good work in possession were struggling to create many clear-cut chances with the absence of Cahill, in particular, being keenly felt.

With time beginning to tick away Paul Hart opted to freshen his attack sending on Nwankwo Kanu for Nugent, as his team went in search of the winner.

Within seconds of the substitution Portsmouth went ahead. A corner in from the right went all the way through to an onrushing Crouch at the far post who made no mistake for his second of the match.

Yet Pompey have been guilty of giving away late goals this season meaning a nervy ending was almost inevitable at Fratton Park.

Sean Davis almost soothed those fears with just 10 minutes left on the clock, fizzing a shot which beat Howard but slammed against his left-hand post and rebounded to safety.

However, the anticipated deluge failed to arrive from Everton and Portsmouth finished the game strongly to secure a vital win which may just go a long way to preserving their Premier League status.

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Johnson, Davis, Mullins, Nugent (Kanu, 74), Kranjcar, Crouch.

Everton: Howard, Jacobsen (Gosling, 86), Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Fellaini, Neville, Pienaar, Saha, Jo (Rodwell, 90).

GOALS

2-1 Portsmouth (Crouch, 74)

1-1 Portsmouth (Crouch, 22)

0-1 Everton (Baines, 4)

Gill Clark, Goal