Harry: Kanu believe it?

THE COMPUTER that spits out the Premier League fixtures was cruel to Portsmouth, who have already faced the big four of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

It was a daunting start and partially explains why Harry Redknapp’s team won just one league game before yesterday’s victory suggested they are equipped to match any club outside that elite quartet.

Nwankwo Kanu’s decisive goal was just reward for a performance that begged the question of why Portsmouth’s last away win in the league was St Stephen’s Day last year against Aston Villa. The answer, according to Redknapp, is the need to inject some steel and determination.

“We look a different team — strong and powerful with a back four I wouldn’t swap for any in the league. There is no reason why we can’t pick up more points away from home.”

Rovers should have been ahead inside the opening 15 minutes when Roque Santa Cruz hit the bar and David Bentley and Benni McCarthy lashed chances over the bar.

Portsmouth finally showed they could create openings and only a remarkable double save from Brad Friedel denied Kanu a 23rd-minute goal as the Australian beat out his header and recovered to block the striker’s follow-up from close range.

Seconds later, Kanu was outnumbered on the edge of the area, but held off two challenges, rounded Friedel and calmly placed a shot past Christopher Samba on the line.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Friedel 6; Emerton 6, Samba 6, Ooijer 6, Warnock 6; Bentley 6, Dunn 4 (Tugay 56,5), Savage 6, Pedersen 5 (Roberts 79,5); Santa Cruz 6, McCarthy 5 (Derbyshire 56,5).

Subs not used: Brown, Mokoena.

PORTSMOUTH (4-1-4-1): James 6; Johnson 6, Campbell 6, Distin 6, Hreidarsson 6; Davis 6; Utaka 6 (Pamarot 90, 5), Bouba Diop 6, Muntari 6, Kranjcar 6 (Taylor 86, 6); Kanu 6 (Benjani 69, 5).

Subs not used: Ashdown, Nugent

Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens) 6.