Blackburn all but sealed their Premier League place for another season with a 2-0 win over a Portsmouth side still not clear of the drop zone. Morten Gamst Pedersen put Rovers ahead and Benni McCarthy made victory safe from the penalty spot after Hermann Hreidarsson had needlessly handled.

Hapless Pompey's day was complete when John Utaka wasted a chance to set up a tense finish when he hopelessly blazed over from the penalty spot.

Rovers boss 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."

"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, said a disappointed Portsmouth boss Paul Hart.

"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."