Blackburn 2-0 Portsmouth

Blackburn all but sealed their Premier League place with a comfortable win over a Pompey side still desperately seeking the win they need to survive.

Morten Gamst Pedersen put Rovers ahead after David James had flapped under pressure from Christopher Samba.

Benni McCarthy made victory safe from the penalty spot after Hermann Hreidarsson had needlessly handled.

John Utaka wasted a chance to set up a tense finish when he hopelessly blazed over from the penalty spot.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
"This has not been a great escape, it has been survival we worked hard for over several games.

"We have been clear for a while and are nearly there with two games to go. Forty points guarantees nothing but I don't think we can be caught now."

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart:
"You have to be on your toes against teams like Blackburn. They are hard to play against but I felt we gifted them two goals and that is disappointing.

"I have said all along that there will be no complacency from us in our preparation. If anyone thought we were safe already then today is a timely reminder that is not the case."

---

Blackburn: Robinson, Andrews, Nelsen, Givet, Warnock, Diouf, Grella, Kerimoglu, Pedersen, Samba, McCarthy (Mokoena 83).
Subs not used: Bunn, Khizanishvili, Villanueva, Treacy, Olsson, Doran.

Booked: McCarthy, Andrews.

Goals: Pedersen 31, McCarthy 58 pen.

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul (Pennant 64), Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Johnson, Hughes (Kanu 53), Davis, Mullins, Belhadj (Utaka 53), Crouch.
Subs not used: Begovic, Nugent, Basinas, Cranie.

Booked: Johnson

Attendance: 24,234

Referee: Mike Riley (Yorkshire)