Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp was beaming with pride after watching his
side wrap up the First Division title with another home success on Sunday night.
Pompey had already secured promotion to the Premiership but made sure they
would also have some silverware to parade as they beat Rotherham 3-2.
"I am very proud to be manager of this football club," Redknapp said amid
the jubilation at Fratton Park.
Redknapp's side put themselves beyond the reach of Leicester as Bulgarian
international Svetoslav Todorov scored twice to take his season's goal tally to
23.
But a delighted Redknapp afterwards admitted that he is as stunned as anyone
at the south coast side's remarkable turn in fortunes.
Portsmouth have avoided relegation to Division Two on the final day of three
of the last seven seasons and Redknapp said: "I never saw this coming.
"When I came here I thought we had an outside chance of making the play-offs
so to achieve what we have is phenomenal.
"This means an awful lot to me because Rotherham came here and gave it a
right go.
"But my players have been great all season and they came through it.
"Ronnie Moore has done an amazing job down there so we knew they would make
it hard for us."
Portsmouth captain Paul Merson, who hinted after the game that he may put his
retirement on hold, put the home side in front with a 10th-minute penalty after
Rotherham defender Guy Branston had fouled Todorov on the edge of the six-yard
box.
But Branston turned from villain to hero just six minutes later when he poked
home Rotherham's equaliser after racing on to Shaun Barker's long throw.
Rotherham's reprieve lasted just six minutes before man of the match Todorov
slid in to restore Portsmouth's lead.
The former West Ham player smashed the ball home from two yards out after
strike partner Vincent Pericard and Steve Stone had combined down the right.
Millers defender Chris Swailes drew Rotherham level for a second time 16
minutes before the break when he headed Nick Daws' corner past Portsmouth
goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
Todorov added his second and Pompey's third deep into first-half stoppage time
to put the league leaders back in front.
The troublesome Bulgarian turned the ball into the bottom corner from close
range after Pericard had again supplied the perfect cross from the right.
Redknapp added: "Svetoslav Todorov has done great.
"When I first signed him a few eyebrows were raised but he's proven what a
good player he is.
"But it's unfair to single out one player because everyone in the squad has
played their part and all the lads deserve credit for a tremendous team
effort."
Rotherham manager Moore said: "Our defending in places let us down and we
were a bit naive.
"I didn't think it was a penalty - it looked very harsh to me.
"I'm disappointed we haven't got anything from the game but I'm also very
proud and if Leicester were watching they will have no complaints about the
amount of effort we put in."
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