Tuesday, August 29 2006 16:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Middlesbrough: Revived Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu scores his second double of the season here on Monday (28 Aug, 2006) as Portsmouth's outstanding start to the season continues with a 4-0 humbling of Middlesbrough.

Zimbabwean international striker Benjani Mwaruwari scores one and substitute Svetoslav Todorov, who comes on for an injured Kanu late in the match, a last minute goal as Portsmouth rises to second in the Premiership with their first top flight win away over Middlesbrogh since September 1949 when they went on to retain the title.

It also maintains their proud record of being the only Premiership side not to have concedes a goal and brought 'Boro back to earth after their shock defeat of champions Chelsea last week.

However Kanu says that his teammates should keep their feet on the ground despite their good run.

"We don't have to be carried away - we have to keep going," says Kanu, who wins the Champions League with Ajax in 1995.

"When you keep scoring you have the confidence back and I want to play good football. When you play in a good side who keep the ball, everyone works hard and I keep playing for the team," adds the striker, who is also an Olympic winner with Nigeria in 1996.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is full of praise for the Nigerian, who features Arsenal among his former clubs.

"He was sitting around all summer and no one else wanted to take him - anybody could have had him, he was waiting for a chance and he's been fantastic," says Redknapp.

However Redknapp also sought to dampen the club's fans expectations especially as he feels his squad is not strong enough.

"Everybody we've gone for we've failed to get and four of the five we have brought in have been frees. But if we get a few injuries, we will be bang in trouble," admits the 59-year-old, who is close to being in charge of 1000 matches in his 23-year long managerial career.

Portsmouth takes the lead in the sixth minute as Kanu, who has taken on a new lease of life since he signs earlier this month after being releases by West Brom, prods home past Mark Schwarzer from inside the box.

It is rough justice on the Australian 'keeper, who has produced a superb save to concede a corner from Dejan Stankovic's freekick prior to the goal.

Indeed Schawrzer produces another top class save to thwart Kanu in the 38th minute as he just gets his fingertips to the shot to turn it away for a corner. The hosts have several chances all from 31-year-old Kanu's former international team-mate Aiyegbeni Yakubu but the former Pompey marksman found error prone ex-England 'keeper David James in solid form as he saves both chances, one a header and the other a shot.

However 'Boro are hit with another early goal in the second-half as the impressive Benjani Mwaruwari headed David Thompson's cross past Schwarzer to all but wrap up the match.

While James has to tip a Chris Riggott header round his post shortly afterwards the match is over as a contest when Kanu makes it 3-0 as his shot from inside the penalty area give Schwarzer no chance.

Middlesbrough rarely threatens after that with James having to make just two saves from Lee Cattermole and then another header by Riggott.

However Pompey rubs salt into the hosts wounds as Todorov produces a delightful lob from the edge of the area to beat Schwarzer and perhaps put a more realistic tint to 'Boro's ambitions for the season.