Darius Vassell and Martin Petrov struck within three first-half minutes of each other before Benjani Mwaruwari’s first City goal on home soil finally finished off 10-man Portsmouth and probably killed off their hopes of overhauling fifth-placed Everton in the process.

But while Pompey, who had Hermann Hreidarsson sent off for a cynical block on Vassell after John Utaka had halved the early deficit, must surely be starting to let their minds wander to a Wembley date with Cardiff in May, City, and Eriksson, in particular still have plenty to play for.