Portsmouth chief Peter Storrie has assured Paul Hart his job is safe after defeat to Everton.

Not since Manchester United in 1930 have any side started as badly. But Sulaiman Al Fahim's announcement of a £50million cash injection last week persuaded Storrie not to quit and he insists manager Hart's job is safe.

After fans chanted Storrie's name during the game, the chief executive admitted Portsmouth's summer of financial frustration had left him close to resigning. But he said last night: "I'm going to stay. I have been here for seven and a half years. I love this club and I have worked hard for it. When you get a reception like that it makes you feel quite humble.

"The last nine months have been hard keeping the club going, but we have kept strong and hopefully Sulaiman will take us on to the next level.

"I wanted to make sure the finances were in place. If there wasn't going to be any financial backing there was no point. Everybody has worked so hard to keep it going but Sulaiman has confirmed that he has got those funds." He added: "How can you say Paul will not remain manager after that performance? It was the best this season and with a little luck we would have won 4-1."