Portsmouth plundered their third win in a row to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Barclays Premiership.

Stand-in skipper Gary O'Neil claimed two crazy goals and Fulham had midfielder Michael Brown sent off for a dreadful challenge on one of their former players - Sean Davis.

Lomana LuaLua restored Pompey's lead after a stunning drive by Steed Malbranque wiped out O'Neil's opener in the first 30 seconds

courtesy of a blunder by England full-back Wayne Bridge - under the watching gaze of Sven-Goran Eriksson.

But the deflection to remember for Fulham came just after the hour - and settled the match.

O'Neil's shot with the outside of his foot got a massive deflection and flew over goalkeeeper Mark Crossley.

Brown, a January signing from Tottenham - was sent off 12 minutes later for his two-footed assault on Davis - who had been jeered all afternoon by his former fans.

Brown was lucky not to get a card of some colour earlier for a poor tackle on another former White Hart Lane team-mate - Pedro Mendes.

Bridge was first to succumb to the hurly-burly of the occasion, virtually handing over the first goal to Pompey with only 30 seconds on the clock.

With Eriksson in a sell-out crowd, no doubt to keep an eye on the man who has suffered from hip and ankle problems, he completely missed the ball in attempting to clear Benjani Mwaruwari's cross, leaving O'Neil with the simple task of tucking into a gaping goal from six yards.

Teams

Fulham Crossley, Volz, Knight, Pearce (Christanval 34),Bridge, Malbranque, Pembridge (Radzinski 72), Brown, Boa Morte,McBride, John (Helguson 66).

Subs Not Used: Warner, Rosenior.

Sent Off: Brown (74).

Booked: Malbranque, Helguson.

Goals: Malbranque 10.

Portsmouth Kiely, Priske, O'Brien, Primus, Taylor,D'Alessandro (Stefanovic 66), Davis, Pedro Mendes, O'Neil,Mwaruwari (Todorov 69), LuaLua (Karadas 89).

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Routledge.

Booked: O'Neil, Pedro Mendes.

Goals: O'Neil 1, LuaLua 24, O'Neil 62.

Att: 22,322

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).