A comprehensive victory for the home side and great start to Kanu's Pompey career, but an opening day to forget for nine-man Blackburn.

Kanu breaks through on goal and looks odds on to score a hat-trick but is brought down from behind by Todd.

Todd becomes the second Rovers man to be sent-off after his challenge denies Kanu a hat-trick (Later Rescinded).

David Thompson makes his debut for Pompey against his former club, replacing the impressive Benjani Mwaruwari.

Goal - It's a stroll in the park now for Pompey. O'Neil's cross into the area is headed home by KANU, who rises highest in the box for his second goal on his debut.

A brilliant one touch move from the home side, Kanu swings a cross to the backpost and Taylor's volley is tipped over by Friedel at full stretch.

Confidence is high among the Pompey players and Johnson is now getting forward, his cross finds Mendes and his shot is collected by Friedel again.

Pompey are on the rampage and almost make it three, as Kanu beats two men and sets up Benjani but his shot is saved by Friedel.

The visitors are down to ten men after a rush of blood to the head from Lucas Neill. The Australian's rash challenge on Kanu sees his second yellow card.

GOAL - Surley that's the points for Pompey, as NWANKWO KANU's downward header from Davis' cross beats Friedel.

A rare shot on target from Pompey, with Jason Roberts firing in a 12-yard styrike saved well by James.

Nwanku Kanu enteres the fray for his Pompey debut, replacing Svetoslav Todorov.

Portsmouth put pressure on the Blackburn goalkeeper. Matthew Taylor shoots from the left from 30 yards, but is goes over the bar.

Foul by Savage on Davis. Direct free kick taken by Dejan Stefanovic from own half, resulting in open play.

Foul by Glen Johnson on Jason Roberts. Free kick crossed right by Robbie Savage from the left , saved by David James

Portsmouth are clearly on the back-foot at the start of the second half. Blackburn win a free-kick which Savage takes. The on-coming strike finds the head of Pedersen but is cmomfortably saved by James

Blackburn kick-off the second-half of the match and win an early free-kick.

Pompey deservedly take the advantage into the break after an impressive first half display and should be further in front. Blackburn have struggled to get anything together.

Stefanovic is cautioned by Alan Wiley after a late challenge on Reid.

Bentley tries to find a killer pass over the top but again Pompey mop up well again at the back, with Glen Johnson heading back to James.

Portsmouth deserve their lead and Blackburn are struggling to create anything for their new strike partnership.

A free-kick from Reid is defelected towards the Pompoey goal, but James moves his feet quickly and catches the ball at full stretch.

A shocking back-pass from Aaron Mokoena goes straight to Benjani, but he dwells on the ball in the area and Neill gets back to deny him a shooting chance.

Another chance for Campebll, who is causing Rovers problems at set-pieces, this time his header comes off Neill and is cleared.

It's almost two for the home side - Sean Davis' free-kick picks out Sol Campbell, but the defender's header is brilliantly saved by Friedel.

Australian Neill is the latest player cautioned after a foul on Todorov.

GOAL - Benjani breaks down the right and squares the ball perfectly to SVETOSLAV TODOROV, who gives Pompey a deserved lead.

Taylor threads through an excellent ball through to O'Neil, the midfielder's firm, low shot forces a decent save from Friedel.

Blackburn are working their way back into this game after a shakey start, pushing more bodies further foward from midfield.

Blackburn nearly take the lead against the run of play. McCarthy hooks the ball from the byline over the head of James and after a massive scramble, the ref gives a free-kick for a challenge on Dejan Stefanovic.

Good play from Gary O'Neil and his cross accross the face of the goal causes problems for Rovers, but Andy Todd eventually scrambles the ball back to Brad Friedel.

Benjani breaks into another useful position and fires a shot a yard over the bvar, but he may have been better supplying a pass.

It getting a bit heated in the middle of the park and, not suprisingly, it's been Savage involved in the majority of the incidents.

Taylor becomes the first player into the book after kicking the ball away following a foul on Todd.

Savage is okay and back on and the visitors will need him if they are to stem this good start from Pompey.

A sickening blow to the head for Savage, as he runs into Benjani in an accidental collision and needs treatment.

Free-kick for the visitors in their opening attack, Robbie Savage curls the ball over the wall and David James tips the strike over the bar.

Benjani Mwaruwari breaks down the right hand side and threatens. Penalty appeals after Lucas Neill's challenge on the striker, but Alan Wiley waves away the appeals.

Matthew Taylor tries his luck with a free-kick and the curling left foot effort is inches wide, with Brad Friedel beatn had it been on target.

Portsmouth get us underway and straight away Dejan Stefanovic knocks a long ball forward which is cleared.

Portsmouth hand debuts to new arrivals David James and Sol Campbell. Meanwhile, Blackburn boast a new strike pairing of Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy.