Sunderland ease relegation fears as Richardson brace sinks Portsmouth

And he got it. Only the manager concerned was Sunderland boss Roy Keane. His side may still be in the bottom three but, thanks to Kieran Richardson's impressive double, this critical win keeps them in touch with teams just above them.

"I knew I would get a response," said Keane, with last week's dismal 3-0 FA Cup loss to Wigan still fresh in the memory. "There are three mini tables going on and it's important we top ours. We are still in touch, it will be nip and tuck and we have some important games coming up."

Harry Redknapp, meanwhile, was left to reflect on an abysmal afternoon and a defeat which caused severe damage to Portsmouth's European ambitions. But without Glen Johnson and four players on African Nations Cup duty, Portsmouth had no answer to Sunderland's thirst and determination.

"We just can't cope without key players," Redknapp admitted. "It would be an excuse to say this week has been a distraction. We were poor and Sunderland played very well."

The Portsmouth boss was also left to contemplate the input from Kenwyne Jones, easily Keane's best signing, who was given his debut by Redknapp at Southampton.

"I thought he had everything," said Redknapp. 'But he lacked that desire to be a top player. Roy has got that out of him. Roy Keane is fantastic and I am not just saying that because they beat us. I have a feeling about him. I think he will go to the very top."

Sol Campbell will not be particularly proud of the part he played in Sunderland's 33rd-minute opener. He was out-run and out-muscled by Jones and then left all the hard work to David James and Sylvain Distin.

Perhaps the former England defender thought he was fouled by Jones as the pair tussled for Jonny Evans's searching punt forward, or he thought James would come from his goalline to collect it. He was wrong about both and Jones had the pace and time to stop the ball on the byline and pass perfectly into the path of Richardson, who hammered a shot past James with his left foot.

The defending at the second goal a minute before the break will also have alarmed Redknapp as hopeless challenges allowed Liam Miller, Daryl Murphy and Richardson to charge through the heart of their defence. Miller won an important challenge near the area, found Murphy to his right and the Ireland striker did enough to hold off two challenges before Richardson sneaked the ball past Hermann Hreidarsson and delivered a rare right-foot finish which deceived the advancing James.

Both managers toyed with their teams and line-ups, Keane using Jones as the lone striker, with Murphy and Anthony Stokes supporting from the flanks. Redknapp handed the striking role to David Nugent, who turned down Sunderland in the summer, with Benjani Mwaruwari and Niko Kranjcar playing out wide.

Pompey shaded the first 20 minutes but Sunderland created the best move and opening which should have brought the recalled Anthony Stokes his second goal of the season.

The former Arsenal youngster started it on the right and raced into the area to get on the end of Murphy's firm cross but he was unable to direct his header on target.

Redknapp changed his system after half-time but Nugent barely got a meaningful touch against Nyron Nosworthy and the faultless Evans, while Jones, the man Keane signed almost as a last resort, terrorised Campbell and Distin. And Keane said he was only 60 to 70 per cent fit.

Sunderland edged the second period, with Richardson denied a superb hat-trick when his deceptive shot from distance beat James but hit the bar. Richardson and Miller also shot over and Jones almost got the decisive touch from two set-pieces.

Sunderland fully deserved to keep their first clean sheet since the first day of the season. Richard Hughes, Benjani, Kranjcar and Mendes all hit unconvincing shots from long range, while Mendes had one goalbound effort bravely blocked by Evans before the Manchester United defender departed with cramp.

"Jonny was excellent again today but he'll get a fine for that," said Keane.