Portsmouth's new-look line-up suffered defeat in the Fratton Park mud as Leon Osman's first-half winner gave determined Everton their third Barclays Premiership victory in a row.

With both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table, it was David Moyes' side who held firm against a Pompey side which contained four new faces.

Redknapp paid around £7.5million in midweek to recruit Sean Davis, Pedro Mendes and Noe Pamarot from Tottenham but saw two of them booked and the other - Frenchman Pamarot - looking bewildered in central defence.

Pompey were under the cosh early on and did well to survive a quick blitz that should have had an opening goal in the first minute when Osman missed a simple opportunity.

That seemed to give Portsmouth the spark they needed and they dominated the next 25 minutes, but once they went behind they seemed to lose all their authority.

New signing Benjani Mwaruwari struggled leading the hosts' attack and even the introduction of a fifth newcomer, Emmanuel Olisadebe, in the second half could not help their cause.

Everton had not lost at Fratton Park for 49 years and once they were in front again they looked as though they knew that statistic well.

Midfielder Osman, who notched a reply-header in the FA Cup at Millwall last Saturday, made amends for his early miss here with the bravery to get the winner.

Tim Cahill plainly told him to keep his head up after he nodded a perfect cross over the bar with the fans still coming in.

But Cahill could not have had any complaints with the finishing of Osman just after the half hour when he went into to steer home a loose ball off defender Andy O'Brien's shin after James Beattie headed on Joseph Yobo's long ball forward.

Between miss and hit by Osman, Portsmouth showed promised. Lively Lomana LuaLua also twice tested goalkeeper Nigel Martyn with snap shots.

But there were some anxious moments at the back for Pompey in the absence of suspended Dejan Stefanovic and Everton began to sense their opportunity for more relegation relief.

Kevin Kilbane missed two more chances with headers to put them further in front by half-time.

And although they had to survive a scare when referee Andre Marriner failed to spot Yobo tugging on the sleeve of LuaLua, their defending was dedicated after the break.

Despite Pompey's growing pressure they barely created an opening until Olisadebe replaced midfielder Richard Hughes and made a penetrating run that had Martyn diving to save.

However, Everton always seemed intent to hold their lead and protect it.

In fact, Portsmouth's second-half fightback was slow to get going. First they had to survive an anxious moment when Hughes kneed a Mikel Arteta corner over his own bar, and then Davis was booked for dissent.

Pompey had the lion's share of possession as the pitch cut up badly - but they were also in constant danger of being caught out on the break.

Tony Hibbert fired a smart through ball which opened up a glimpse of goal for Beattie in the 56th minute - but before he could get his shot away O'Brien made the tackle.

On 66 minutes Davis shot wastefully over when Mwaruwari headed on a free-kick, and it was not a surprise when Olisadebe was sent on as an extra striker on the hour.

Everton redoubled their defences, with Matteo Ferrari and Kilbane both picking up yellow cards.

Despite growing pressure Portsmouth were still struggling to make chances and Davis' finishing was way off the mark.

There was the occasional flash of inspiration from Mwaruwari and one particular piece of magic set up substitute Salif Diao for a shot which he drilled wide from 18 yards.

But it was only when Olisadebe came raiding down the right that goalkeeper Martyn was called into action.

Teams

Portsmouth Ashdown, Griffin, Pamarot, O'Brien, Taylor, O'Neil, Pedro Mendes (Diao 73), Davis (Karadas 87), Hughes (Olisadebe 61), LuaLua, Mwaruwari.

Subs Not Used: Westerveld, Priske.

Booked: Pedro Mendes, Davis.

Everton Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Ferrari, Nuno Valente, Arteta (Bent 90), Cahill, Neville, Osman, Kilbane, Beattie (Weir 88).

Subs Not Used: Wright, Davies, McFadden.

Booked: Ferrari, Kilbane.

Goals: Osman 31.

Att: 20,094

Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).