Kieran Richardson's comeback from injury continued in style, as his best performance for us to date resulted in two goals that helped us ease past Pompey.

After last weekend's dismal showing in the FA Cup, Keane once again made the changes, preferring Dean Whitehead at right back ahead of Paul McShane, as Nyron Nosworthy and Jonny Evans resumed their defensive partnership that won us the Championship last season. Liam Miller, Dwight Yorke and Anthony Stokes started in midfield - with Stokes getting his first game since before Christmas - while Kenwyne Jones returned to the side. Pompey were missing several players because of the African Cup of Nations, and all eyes were on Harry Redknapp who was still in charge after turning down Newcastle's offer yesterday.

Sunderland got off to a good start, although Anthony Stokes' second minute effort was hardly likely to trouble David James, before the visitors saw Benjani smashed a shot across the face of goal after Pedro Mendes' free kick. Pompey pushed forward again, but Jonny Evans was able to block David Nugent's shot, before Craig Gordon could only parry away Niko Kranjcar's shot on 16 minutes for a corner.

Despite both sides having chances on goal, neither Sunderland nor Portsmouth looked convincing, but it was the home side that took the lead shortly after the half hour mark when Evans' long ball downfield was met by Kenwyne Jones, who managed to shake off the challenge of Sol Campbell to set up Kieran Richardson to side foot the ball past David James.

Sunderland kept on pressing forward, with Jones causing plenty of reasons for the Portsmouth back line to panic, while Hreidarsson came close to equalising, only for Evans to deflect away the Icelandic's header from another Mendes cross towards the end of the first half.

Sunderland did go into the break in the lead - but that lead was extended in the 44th minute when Daryl Murphy set up Richardson for his second of the day, after the former Manchester United man beat the challenge of Hreidarsson to slot the ball past James.

The second half didn't see any more goals, but it wasn't for the want of trying, as Sunderland didn't take their foot off the pedal. Richardson came close to securing his hattrick on 49 minutes, as he put the ball just over the bar after a lay-off from Stokes, before his attempt to grab his third of the day saw the winger hit the bar from outside the area.

Dwight Yorke headed just over on 63 minutes from Stokes' free kick following a foul on Liam Miller, while Stokes himself came close after seeing David James save his effort following a cross from Jones, who was clearly enjoying the so-called defensive efforts of Sol Campbell this afternoon. Jones saw a penalty appeal waved off after he was brought down in the box by Campbell, as Portsmouth didn't look likelt to get back into the game in the final 20 minutes.

Danny Collins picked up a booking on 71 minutes - and with that being his fifth yellow card of the season, the Welsh defender earned himself a one match ban. Thankfully, he'll be able to play against Spurs, since the ban doesn't kick in before next Sunday, meaning that Collins will miss our home game with Birmingham at the end of the month.

Liam Miller's one-two with Grant Leadbitter went awry, as the through ball back to Leadbitter went straight to James on 83 minutes, as Portsmouth only managed a long range effort from Pedro Mendes in stoppage time. In the end though, Kieran Richardson's two first-half goals were more than enough to secure us a win, and put us on 20 points in the Premier League - even if it means we're still in the bottom three on goal difference.

More performances like this, and we'll have no problems staying up!

Sunderland: Gordon, Nosworthy, Evans (sub 77, McShane), Collins, Whitehead, Miller, Yorke, Richardson, Stokes (sub 73, Leadbitter), Murphy, Jones (sub 83, O'Donovan). Subs: Fulop, Cole.

Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Distin (sub 90, Traore), Campbell, Hreidarsson, Mvemba (sub 65, Songo'o), Mendes, Hughes, Kranjcar, Benjani, Nugent. Subs: Begovic, Lauren, Wilson.