SAMMY LEE was still left searching for Wanderers' first Barclays Premier League point of the campaign after Portsmouth came from behind to beat his troops at Fratton Park.
Nicolas Anelka's second goal of the season got the visitors off to a dream start but goals from Kanu, John Utaka and a late Matt Taylor penalty made it three defeats on the trot for Wanderers.
Lee made two changes from the side that suffered an unfortunate defeat to Fulham in midweek. Heidar Helguson and Gavin McCann made way for Andranik and Mikel Alonso.
Wanderers started brightly and played some good football as they took hold of the game. They were rewarded for their endeavours in the 12th minute when Nicolas Anelka slotted the ball through the open legs of the newly-recalled England international goalkeeper David James. The Frenchman latched on to El-Hadji Diouf's smart pass to claim his second goal of the campaign.
The lead didn't last long - three minutes to be precise - when Utaka met Gary O'Neil's right-sided cross and knocked the ball into the path of Kanu, who fired past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Andranik, making his first appearance of the season following an extended summer break, almost restored Wanderers' lead but his well-struck shot had the venom taken out of it by a deflection which allowed James to push the ball away.
Benjani should have put his side in front when he was the first to meet an O'Neil centre. The Zimbabwe international could only head over.
The hosts' were able to get their noses in front on the half-hour mark through summer signing John Utaka. Anelka had attempted to chest the ball down just outside the Pompey box but lost possession. It broke to Utaka just inside his own half and with most of the Wanderers defenders out of position, he simply powered his way up field with electric pace leaving Nicky Hunt lagging behind. Although Gerald Cid raced across to try and help out, Utaka was able to round Jaaskelainen to put Pompey a goal to the good.
Anelka went close to equalising just before the break but his volley from Andranik's long throw went narrowly wide.
Christian Wilhelmsson was handed is Wanderers debut at the start of the second-half when he replaced Andranik.
Jaaskelainen was pressed into action almost immediately when he parried Utaka's shot. The ball was loose after it rebounded off the Finn but it was promptly cleared for a corner.
Lee made his second change on 55 minutes when he brought on Daniel Braaten for captain Kevin Nolan. The skipper's armband was handed over to Speed.
The stand-in skipper almost levelled within minutes as he leapt to meet Diouf's cross. The Welshman, although able to direct his header, was unable to get enough power to beat James who managed to dive to his right and make the save.
With five minutes remaining, Lee brought on his last substitute, Helguson, for Hunt.
Pompey added a third just moments later when Matt Taylor sent Jaaskelainen the wrong way from the spot after Cid was adjudged to have brought down Kanu in the box.
