A key duo in this afternoon’s 3-1 win over Portsmouth have given their thoughts following the impressive performance.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and opening goal scorer Darius Vassell spoke to the press shortly after moving three points closer to their European chasing rivals.

Sven said: “It was excellent. Not only was it three points today, we scored three, which could and maybe should have been five or six.

“We played some good football again and put together some good combinations. I think we were aggressive too and sometimes we didn’t let go.

“So very good and the dream of Europe is still there with three games to go.”

City started well and took the lead after 11 minutes when Darius Vassell grabbed his sixth goal of the season.

Describing it afterwards he said: “I think we caught the keeper out a little bit and I thought if I got to the back stick I’d have a chance.

“I was in the right place - I may have been offside - but they all count.

“We’ve been looking for a result like that, especially at home to lift the fans, lift the team and lift the players.”