Portsmouth failed to gain their first points against Everton after suffering a cruel defeat by a single goal.
Hosts miss chances as Toffees escape with three points
Portsmouth's run of Premier League defeats was extended to seven games as Everton managed to scrape a 1-0 victory at Fratton Park.
After an evenly matched opening, Louis Saha gave Everton the lead shortly before half-time when he took advantage of Younes Kaboul's missed header and finished clinically.
Tal Ben-Haim almost levelled the scores shortly after the break but his close-range header flew close to Tim Howard, who somehow kept it out.
Pompey went agonisingly close 20 minutes from time as Aaron Mokoena squandered a golden opportunity when he headed against the bar from point-blank range.
The hosts were frustrated again right at the end when substitute Hassan Yebda met a Jamie O'Hara cross only to see his header cleared off the line by Leighton Baines.
There was little evidence of the recent boardroom uncertainty at Portsmouth on the pitch where the home side were ambitious and incisive, setting the tone with a lively opening largely orchestrated by Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Chance
The German created an early half-chance for Jamie O'Hara and then Tommy Smith, but both players were closed down quickly.
He played another slick pass to Aruna Dindane and the Ivory Coast forward, making his Premier League debut, raced into the area only to scuff his shot while under pressure from right-back John Heitinga.
Showing greater intent in attack, Everton created a tricky chance when Steven Pienaar crossed for Tim Cahill but the Australian glanced his header over the crossbar.
Just as Everton seemed to be putting their stamp on the game, Pompey broke free with some rapid passing through midfield.
Smith threaded a perfectly-weighted ball into the area where Dindane, under pressure from Sylvain Distin, pulled the trigger but saw Howard to produce a fine save.
It was then James' turn to show his reflexes, the England veteran thrusting out a leg to block Marouane Fellaini's header.
Boateng managed to turn former Pompey defender Distin, who inside out but skied his shot having done the hard work.
Crucial Goal
Chances were created at both ends but it was Everton who made the breakthrough when Saha found the net in the 42nd minute.
The Frenchman beat Kaboul in the air to head down a long, high ball by Heitinga and pounced, directing a strong finish past James.
Pompey should have equalised five minutes into the second half but defender Ben Haim, having slipped free to meet O'Hara's free-kick, directed his header straight at Howard when the goal was at his mercy.
Pienaar was derided by home fans for limping from the pitch following a tackle, returning moments later and then slumping to the floor once again. He was eventually carried off on a stretcher.
Substitute Diniyar Bilyaletdinov floated a corner to the far post where Fellaini was denied by James and then Smith came to Pompey's rescue by clearing Cahill's effort off the line.
Aaron Mokoena rattled the bar as Pompey searched bravely for the equaliser and they appeared to have snatched a point only for Leighton Baines to clear Hassan Yebda's header off the line.
Boateng was denied by Howard four minutes into injury-time as Everton clung onto their lead.
