Sven scoffs at sack fears

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON last night reiterated he fully expects to be at Manchester City next season and does not fear his next meeting with the club's owner Thaksin Shinawatra, who returns to England from Thailand this week.

Throughout City’s comprehensive win over Portsmouth, supporters pointedly sang Eriksson’s name, less than a week after Shinawatra revealed he will consider the Swede’s position at the end of the season. “I’m not worried,” Eriksson said. “I think I’ll be sitting here next season.”

A mix-up between David James and Sol Campbell gifted Darius Vassell an early opener and Campbell then diverted Martin Petrov’s shot past his keeper. John Utaka pulled one back before Herman Hreidarsson was sent off and Benjani added a third late on.

Irish international Richard Dunne limped off with a hamstring problem that will be scanned today.

DID YOU KNOW? Pompey conceded more goals yesterday than in their previous five.

MAN CITY (4-5-1): Hart 6, Elano 6 (Caciedo), Corluka 7, Dunne 7 (Williamson 54, 6), Ball 5, Vassell 7, Johnson 7, Ireland 7 (Geovanni 76, 6), Fernandes 6, Petrov 8, Benjani 6.

Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Castillo.

PORTSMOUTH (4-5-1): James 6, Lauren 5, Campbell 3, Distin 6, Hreidarsson 5, Utaka 5 (Baros 75, 6), Muntari 7, Diarra 6, Diop 6 (Aubey 75, 6), Kranjcar 7 (Davis 83, 6), Defoe 6.

Subs Not Used: Begovic, Nugent.

REFEREE: Andre Marriner (W Midlands) 7: Got the sending off absolutely right.

MATCH RATING: **** A cracking contest with City starting to fire again.