Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp set his side a target of picking up four points from their remaining two matches to win the First Division title following their 3-0 victory over promotion rivals Reading.

French striker Vincent Pericard led the way with two goals in the first half as he celebrated his recall to the starting line-up in style.

Leading scorer Svetoslav Todorov added a deserved third goal 17 minutes from time to give the scoreline a more accurate look as Portsmouth moved above Leicester and re-established their two-point advantage at the top.

Portsmouth face a home game against Rotherham on Sunday followed by a trip to Bradford a week later and Redknapp believes they are in the driving seat to claim the title.

Redknapp said: "It was a great display and I reckon four more points will be enough because we've got a much better goal difference than Leicester.

"We didn't play well at Ipswich last Friday and it was important that we turned in a good performance. This was a great result for us because Reading have made things very difficult for a lot of teams away from home this season.

"I recalled Pericard to the starting line-up and I thought he did very well. He's had a few injuries of late and is very raw but he caused them a lot of problems."

The result was never in doubt after Pericard, on loan from Juventus for the season, had opened the scoring in the 18th minute with his ninth goal of the campaign.

The Frenchman, making his first start since January 18, had no trouble in dispatching a low shot inside the left-hand upright after winger Kevin Harper had set up the goal as he beat two Reading defenders before playing the ball into his path.

Impressive midfielder Nigel Quashie went close to extending the home side's lead on two other occasions only to be denied by goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann from long range.

But Reading provided no noticeable threat of their own and it was no surprise when Pericard added a second in first-half injury time.

Welsh defender Adrian Williams blocked the striker's first attempt but the ball rebounded into his calf for the forward to lash home a shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Only desperate defending from Williams prevented Todorov from adding a third eight minutes after the restart, after he cleared a shot off the line from close range.

But the Bulgarian striker was not to be denied and he strolled through Reading's defence to score his 21st goal of the season in the 71st minute giving Hahnemann no chance in the Reading goal.

Reading boss Alan Pardew got some consolation at the final whistle when he discovered his side only need one point to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs despite their heavy defeat.

He said: "We're hugely disappointed with our showing. We had a really bad day at the office.

"This was a massive game for us but some of our players were a shadow of themselves and there was a lot of tension out there.

"Portsmouth showed why they are the best team in the division on their day, but we made it nice and easy for them. We have a huge game against Grimsby on Saturday and we have to respond in the right way."