Benjani treble delights ‘Arry

BEJANI vindicated Harry Redknapp’s decision to reject the overtures of Newcastle as his hat-trick emphatically ended Portsmouth’s six-match goal drought at Fratton Park.

After going behind in four minutes Benjani scored his second treble of the season – including Pompey’s first home league goal since September 29 — to rekindle the club’s hopes of European football next season.

“I want them to play like that. They are good footballers and I want my players to play and that’s why I bring them here,” said Redknapp.

“I said to Benjani that we needed a big performance from him because we are missing the African Nations Cup boys and he did the business.

“I still want to get an extra front man. I think the squad needs another front man, because we are short but they are not easy to find.

“But you have to balance the books, you just can’t expect the board to keep pulling up money.”

Redknapp, who raised the cash for new €7.5million signing Lassana Diarra by selling Matt Taylor to Bolton, was delighted with his debutant’s performance, although the man himself insisted the best is yet to come.

“It helps to know that I am going to play (nearly all) the games with Pompey,” he said. “I know I can do better because I only trained once with my new team-mates and had not played at all for four weeks.

“I’m here to win things and refocus on my football. I think Europe is realistic for us with the players we have – especially when the African players come back,” he added. A top-six finish looked anything but realistic as Derby snatched an improbable early lead. David James palmed Emanuel Villa’s header onto the crossbar after a free-kick by Laurent Robert but Wales youngster Lewin Nyatanga slotted home the rebound.

Kenny Miller missed a chance to make it 2-0 – James saving bravely at his feet — before Benjani eventually equalised with a shot on the turn before heading his side in front.

Fellow striker David Nugent made vital contributions to both goals but Benjani’s third nine minutes after half-time was practically all his own work. Surging out of his own half, he swapped precise passes with Pedro Mendes, and clipped a lovely drive beyond Lewis Price.

PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2): James 6, Johnson 7, Pamarot 7, Distin 8, Hreidarsson 7, Lauren 7, Diarra 6 (Hughes 81, 5), Mendes 7, Kranjcar 7, Benjani 9 (Mvuemba 89, 5), Nugent 7.

Subs Not Used: Begovic, Aubey, Songo’o.

DERBY (4-4-2): Price 6, Mills 5 (Lewis 32, 5), Todd 5, Moore 5, Nyatanga 6, Fagan 4 (Teale 68, 5), Savage 6, Ghaly 5, Robert 5 (Barnes 56, 5), Villa 6, Miller 6.

Subs Not Used: Hinchliffe, Earnshaw.

REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral) 7: Generally very sound, although Craig Fagan might have been dismissed for one too many late challenges.

MATCH RATING: *** Derby started brightly and faded quickly. Pompey needed this return to form.