Redknapp hails his smiling assassin

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The Zimbabwean 29-year-old fired home his fourth goal in three games in the 81st minute at the JJB Stadium to set Pompey on their way to their fourth successive victory.

Redknapp said: "Benji's scoring goals now which is great. He's always worked his socks off and done great for us but he's never really scored too many - and now he can't stop scoring. He's always got a smile on his face and now he's adding goals to his play, which is great for him."

He added: "Ever since I bought him he's done an unbelievable job for us. In his first season he couldn't score a goal for 15 games but he never stopped working, and last season he weighed in with six.

"The fans love him because he is a fantastic fellow and he just loves playing the game."

Victory consolidated Pompey's position in fifth place in the table despite a tough start which saw them play each of the so-called 'big four' in their opening six matches.

Such is the level of Pompey's confidence that Redknapp admitted he would have been disappointed to leave the struggling Latics with just a point - but he refused to target a European place.

Redknapp added: "I said at half-time that the game was there for us to win. In games like that it is important we pick up points and I would not have been happy coming here and getting a point.

"But you look at the top four and you know they will be the same again, then there's teams like Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Everton. That is a difficult group so if we can finish in the top half I'd be delighted."