An injury time goal from Jermain Defoe secured Portsmouth's first league win for new manager Tony Adams on Saturday.

Sunderland had taken an early lead in the 4th minute through Djibril Cisse but the visitors equalized six minutes into the second half through Nadir Belhadj before Defoe snatched all three points for his side from the penalty spot.

Portsmouth had suffered two straight defeats under Adams and were keen to return back to winning ways against Sunderland. The visitors got off to the worst possible start as Sunderland raced to the lead in the 4th minute when Cisse curled home a 60-yard long ball from Andy Reid.

With Pompey struggling to create chances, Kieran Richardson almost doubled the lead for Sunderland midway through the first half but his 30-yard shot smashed against the post before bouncing clear.

Cisse had two great chances to double his tally but was denied both times by some brilliant saves from David James. Portsmouth stepped up the pressure in search of an equalizer in the second half and were rewarded just six minutes after the break when Belhadj smashed home a long range effort from 35-yards out.

The goal provided a much needed impetus for the visitors who slowly took control of the possession but still were struggling to break past a stubborn Sunderland defense. Just when it looked as if both the teams will be sharing the points, Portsmouth were awarded a penalty after El-Hadji Diouf fouled Glen Johnson inside the area and Defoe coolly slotted the ball past Marton Fulop to give his side all three points from the clash.