Nicolas Anelka is playing with a smile on his face and Bolton are reaping the benefit.

The France striker took his tally to seven goals in eight games as the unlikely Champions League contenders chalked up a fifth successive Barclays Premiership win with victory over Portsmouth.

For Pompey goalkeeper David James it was no laughing matter as he was at fault for two of the goals in an erratic display at the Reebok Stadium.

Yet Portsmouth, flying high themselves, could not have made a better start.

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole, making his first Premiership start for the visitors, had a hand in the opening goal after 71 seconds.

He threaded a neat reverse pass into the area and Matt Taylor shrugged off the challenge of Abdoulaye Faye to fire home.

It was Taylor's fifth goal in six games and gave Portsmouth just the start they wanted.

Bolton looked rattled and their passing was wayward as they went in search of the equaliser.

The home fans were becoming frustrated but captain Kevin Nolan gave them something to cheer about in the 21st minute.

He rattled in a shot that was deflected to safety at the last moment then a minute later team-mate Kevin Davies fired wide from a good position.

Suddenly it was Portsmouth's turn to come under pressure and fighting to preserve their lead.

Bolton drew level in the 30th minute following a lapse in concentration from James.

He punched a corner from Gary Speed straight up in the air and Faye took advantage to head home.

Portsmouth were now looking a little bit vulnerable at the back, especially from set-pieces.

Taylor though, showed he was dead-ball specialist with a fine free-kick from an acute angle in the 38th minute that went narrowly wide of the post.

Bolton took the lead in the 40th minute thanks to Ivan Campo's fifth goal of the season.

He was first to react at the far post after James had parried a goal-bound header from Davies following a long ball from Tal Ben Haim.

Portsmouth hit back and Cole looked set to pull them level two minutes later but goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made a marvellous block.

Nolan should have extended Bolton's advantage in the 53rd minute when Davies cleverly played the ball through.

However he fired his effort from inside the area straight at James and Portsmouth breathed a sigh of relief.

Davies was putting in a hard shift while fellow forwards Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf were coming more into the game.

James had a rush of blood that nearly cost his side dear in the 59th minute.

He raced out of his goal to try and foil Davies but mistimed his challenge and Noe Pamarot was forced to tidy up.

Cole almost pulled a goal back a minute later but Jaaskelainen was equal to his close-range effort.

Bolton extended their lead in the 62nd minute following another blunder by James.

He flapped at the ball instead of smothering it after defender Sol Campbell had diverted a cross from Davies.

James was cutting a disconsolate figure between the posts as Portsmouth were now chasing the game after a bright start.

Portsmouth kept going forward and Nico Kranjcar tried his luck from distance only for his effort to clear the bar in the 80th minute.

Faye should have scored his second goal of the game three minutes later but headed wide in front of the posts following a chip from Anelka.

Cole pulled a goal back for Portsmouth with two minutes to go when he got away from Abdoulaye Meite but they did not have enough time to secure a point.

Teams:

Bolton Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Faye, Ben Haim, Nolan,Campo, Speed, Diouf (Pedersen 82), Anelka, Davies.

Subs Not Used: Walker, Gardner, Vaz Te, Tal.

Goals: Faye 30, Campo 40, Anelka 62.

Portsmouth James, Johnson, Primus (O'Brien 75), Campbell,Pamarot (Mwaruwari 78), O'Neil (Thompson 68), Fernandes,Taylor, Davis, Kranjcar, Cole.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Hughes.

Booked: O'Neil.

Goals: Taylor 2, Cole 89.

Att: 22,447

Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).