Pedro Mendes and Kanu both scored as Portsmouth recorded their first win in seven Barclays Premiership matches against Manchester City at Fratton Park.

However, the victory was marred by the sight of Portuguese midfielder Mendes being carried off on a stretcher after City's Joey Barton appeared to tread on his opponent's Achilles tendon just before half-time.

Mendes had scored with a stunning 25-yard strike in only the fifth minute but after his departure Bernardo Corradi produced an equaliser just after the hour only to see that overtaken by substitute Kanu's 12th goal of the season late on.

The Barton challenge doubly cost Portsmouth as manager Harry Redknapp was sent to the stands for the second half after confronting referee Mike Dean in the tunnel at the interval.

Redknapp made seven changes as he attempted to alter Pompey's fortunes and he was soon rewarded for his bold move with a first goal in four league matches.

Mendes conjured up memories of his last-gasp winner against Stuart Pearce's team last season when he fired a 25-yard left-footed shot beyond Andreas Isaksson.

Gary O'Neil's corner was punched well away by the Swedish keeper - making his first Premiership start - but Mendes latched on to it ahead of the flat-footed Ousmane Dabo and thumped home his second goal of the season.

The Portuguese midfielder, knocked unconscious by Ben Thatcher's forearm smash at the City of Manchester Stadium in August, scored twice in last season's meeting at Fratton Park which sparked a run of six matches unbeaten which effectively saved them from relegation.

Confidence seemed to flood back and Lomana LuaLua, in only his fifth Premiership start of the campaign, came raiding down the left only to finish with a shot into the side-netting.

His next effort was much better, another 25-yarder which Isaksson turned around the post at full stretch.

The City keeper was in action again after 14 minutes when O'Neil played Taylor through to hit a savage drive that Isaksson tipped over.

Mendes was at the hub of another dangerous move when Isaksson again had to make a fine save after LuaLua connected O'Neil's deep cross.

But Pompey had a lucky escape when Djimi Traore seemed to handle a corner as Dabo moved in for a header in the 35th minute.

Referee Dean missed it and also did not see Barton's charge into the back of Mendes six minutes later, although the official booked the newly-capped England midfielder after he charged into O'Neil - who was trying to put the ball out of play so his team-mate could receive attention.

City had been gradually working their way back into the game and Corradi struck a powerful drive into the side-netting before Barton's long-range free-kick curled just wide.

But Pompey's biggest escape came when David James kept alive his chance of a record-equalling 141st Premiership clean sheet with a superb save from Corradi's header in first-half stoppage time.

However, James' hopes were dashed when Corradi came up with a well-taken 62nd-minute equaliser.

Pompey's defence went missing as Traore gave the ball away near the halfway line and Barton, inevitably, worked it along the right flank for Darius Vassell whose low cross was expertly despatched by the Italian striker.

City looked the most likely winners at that point with Michael Ball, making his debut, just off target from 20 yards.

But Kanu, a 71st-minute replacement for former City striker Andy Cole, proved to be the match winner when he drilled in a low drive 10 minutes after coming on after Glen Johnson had crossed from O'Neil's throw.

Teams:

Portsmouth James, Johnson, Pamarot, Campbell,Traore (Kranjcar 71), O'Neil, Davis, Pedro Mendes (Lauren 44),Taylor, Cole (Kanu 71), LuaLua.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Douala.

Booked: Cole, Pamarot, Kanu.

Goals: Pedro Mendes 5, Kanu 81.

Man City Isaksson, Richards, Dunne, Distin,Jihai (Samaras 87), Barton, Ireland (Beasley 61), Dabo, Ball,Corradi, Vassell (Miller 79).

Subs Not Used: Hart, Hamann.

Booked: Dabo, Barton, Corradi.

Goals: Corradi 62.

Att: 19,344

Ref: M Dean (Wirral).