Defoe gives Pompey 3 points

Jermain Defoe helped Portsmouth to three very important points as the Blues scored themselves an excellent victory over Sunderland 1-0. The Black Cats were battling to keep themselves in the Premiership top flight.

Portsmouth's coach lobbed a few choice words at the referee. Joe Jordan, a bespectacled and mild-mannered figure these days in comparison with the aggressive centre-forward he was for Leeds, Manchester United and Scotland, was lectured severely as a result. And this was just about the only moment of note before half-time.

"There was a bit of a lack of whip," admitted Redknapp. "It was very hard to find any space, and I expected a tough game." As to the penalty, he added: "Niko Kranjcar won't go down easily — even though he is Croatian — and Jermaine Defoe will score goals for us."

Sunderland were watched over by Keane in characteristic brooding manner. There was a neat dribble and a few nice touches by Andy Reid on the left and the occasional corner was forced through deflected shots, but there was nothing to disconcert James, who was saluted before the kick-off for his 500th Premier League appearance. In fact, this had already occurred, last month at Old Trafford, but no one seemed to notice at the time.

In the second half, there were a couple of early chances for Defoe. The first, from a Milan Baros's cross, was mis-hit, and the second struck straight at Craig Gordon in Sunderland's goal. Next, a fine cross-field ball from Kranjcar found Johnson, again filling the winger's space on the right, but his low shot was held by the goalkeeper. The only way Portsmouth would gain a goal, it seemed, was through a free kick — or a penalty.

After 69 minutes, Phil Bardsley tripped Kranjcar as he tried to twist past him in the penalty area. It was a relatively slight contact, but clearly discernible in the replays, and Keane did not challenge Phil Dowd's decision. "We can't be victims all the time. We've lost far too many games," he said.

Defoe gave Gordon no chance at all with his penalty kick.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Diop, Diarra, Muntari, Kranjcar, Baros (Kanu 64), Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Utaka, Davis.

Booked: Johnson.

Goals: Defoe 69 pen.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Whitehead, Leadbitter (Yorke 79), Etuhu, Murphy (Prica 84), Reid (Chopra 70), Jones.

Subs Not Used: Ward, McShane.

Booked: Collins, Yorke.