Football: PAUL ON A MERS MISSION

PAUL Merson helped ease Pompey to an impressive victory then beamed: "I could not have asked for anything better."

Merson was making his debut following his move from Aston Villa - and he was not alone.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp included no fewer than eight of his 10 summer signings in his starting line-up, and they were always in control, underlining their superiority with two first-half goals.

Merson said: "We played some good football. If you are aiming from promotion from this division then you have to play well as a team, and that's what we did.

"If we can continue along those lines we have every chance of figuring in the promotion race.

"It's all about beating teams at home, as we did Forest, and then nicking points on our travels."

Forest manager Paul Hart took the blame for his side's demise at Fratton Park.

He said: "I picked a team that I thought would come here and keep it tight. But we were far too cautious and I must take responsibility."

Pompey were ahead inside seven minutes when Dion Burton, on loan for a month from Derby, pounced to beat Forest keeper Darren Ward from 10 yards.

Burton enjoyed four seasons at Fratton Park before his move to the East Midlands, now he is hoping to do enough to secure a contract.

He certainly started well enough, as did his strike partner Vincent Pericard - on a year's loan from Juventus.

Pericard ensured there would be no way back for Forest when he headed the second goal clinically past Ward from Gary O'Neil's cross on the stroke of half-time.

MAN OF THE MATCH VINCENT PERICARD

His aerial power was always a threat to overworked Forest.

PORTSMOUTH: Hislop 6, Howe 5 (Primus 6), Foxe 7, De Zeeuw 7, Taylor 6, O'Neil 7, Robinson 6, Merson 7, Quashie 6, Burton 7, PERICARD 8.

NOTTM FOREST: Ward 6, Thompson 6, Hjelde 7, Walker 6, Hall 7, Williams 6, Scimeca 6, Prutton 5, Louis-Jean 5, Johnson 6, Brennan 5.

MANAGERS: Redknapp 8; Hart 5.

REFEREE: D Gallagher 7.

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