Sven's stubborn City have the Hart for a battle

Two weeks ago, Hart left Chelsea shell shocked after City's 6-0 drubbing. His defence disintegrated before his eyes and four of the goals were fired through his legs.

Yesterday, the 20-year-old produced an outstanding display of maturity and mental strength in a raucous atmosphere - capped by one stunning save, tipped on to the bar from Glen Johnson, in the first half.

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The England Under 21 keeper, signed from Shrewsbury, modestly claimed he did not deserve the plaudits.

He was disappointed with his kicking, but boss Sven Goran Eriksson agreed he was being too harsh on himself.

"I understand why he is not happy," said Eriksson. "Normally he is a very good kicker. But there is no doubt he was excellent.

"He is a big talent and he will get better. It is not easy to concede six goals in one game but in training he has been fantastic and he was perfect today.

"I said after the game at Chelsea you couldn't blame Joe Hart for the six goals. There were 10 others on the pitch. We couldn't defend at all at Stamford Bridge."

Eriksson's team gave Hart the protection he deserved at Portsmouth, where the home team shaded a closely-fought contest between two teams who show no sign of losing direction as they chase their European ambition.

Richard Dunne and Micah Richards were gigantic at the heart of defence and, when Pompey forced a way past those two and Hart, they were thwarted twice by the woodwork.

"We dominated possession and had the chances to win it," said Harry Redknapp. "The kid made a fantastic save from Johnson. I was right behind it and it looked in all the way but somehow he got to it."

Hart had already stood firm at his near post to beat away a fierce strike from Kanu when Johnson pinched the ball from Dietmar Hamann on the edge of the box in the 25th minute.

The Pompey right back skipped inside Dunne and tried his luck with his left foot. The connection seemed perfect and the ball had the shape to curl inside the far post until Hart flew to his right and thrust out a hand which diverted the shot on to the bar.

Despite last week's 4-1 win at Newcastle, Redknapp changed his successful 4-5-1 formation. With Papa Bouba Diop suspended, Kanu returned for his first start since mid September to partner Benjani in attack and they opened with great tempo and intensity.

City took few risks but settled into their rhythm as half- time approached and wasted a glorious chance to take the lead.

Elano, finding a rare pocket of space, turned and released Darius Vassell on the right. Vassell pulled a low cross into the path of Martin Petrov but the Bulgarian's shot, with his weaker right foot, was too close to keeper David James.

Eriksson was up again, sharply sucking in another lungful of air, when Vassell blew another chance just after the restart.

This time Petrov crossed from the left but Vassell mistimed his slide, got his limbs in a tangle and the ball bounced wide off his knee.

City fans cried for a penalty when the ball bounced up on to Sylvain Distin's hand in a scramble but Mark Halsey waved play on.

Eriksson said: "It is important we collect points away from home. We tried to keep the team compact. We couldn't have another motorway through to Hart, which was the case at Chelsea. And we did it well."

Portsmouth rallied again to finish strongly. Hart saved from Matthew Taylor and again from Johnson, reacting bravely to smother the rebound at feet of Benjani.

Pompey substitute David Nugent unleashed a 25-yarder which clipped Richards, leaving Hart stranded, but he had earned a bit of luck. Nugent's shot hit the inside of the post and rolled across the face of goal.

Kanu and John Utaka limped off with muscle strains which will rule them out of Nigeria's friendly against Australia on Saturday but, like Eriksson, Redknapp is content with life as his players disappear for an international break.

"You can't win every game," reflected Redknapp. "We've been on a fantastic run. We haven't lost for eight games in the League. I can remember when Portsmouth used to go eight games without a draw."