Portsmouth bounced back from their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in a perfect fashion with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at Fratton Park on the weekend.

Jermain Defoe returned to the starting line up by scoring a goal in each of the half to complete a comfortable victory for Portsmouth who maintained their push for a European finish next season.

Pompey went close to opening the scoring in the 10th minute when Chris Kirkland pulled off a good save to deny Chris Kirkland while Defoe saw his drive fly inches high of the cross bar. Wigan's best chance of the match fell to Antonio Valencia who looked to have scored the goal after beating James but Glen Johnson somehow managed to divert the ball on to the post.

Portsmouth took a deserved lead in the 32nd minute when Utaka raced into the penalty area before smashing the ball towards the target but the ball was deflected into the path of Defoe who made no mistake from close range.

Pompey almost doubled the lead seconds later but Kirkland pulled off a great save to deny Kranjcar. Wigan tried to stage a comeback in the second half and were given a golden chance to pull level in the 63rd minute when referee Alan Wiley awarded a penalty after Distin fouled Valencia inside the area but James managed to block Ryan Taylor's initial attempt and the defender wasted his chance on the rebound.

Wigan were dominating the possession but were unable to break down a stubborn Portsmouth defense and Defoe put the result beyond doubt in the final minute of the match, latching on to Kranjcar before slotting it past Kirkland from 18 yards out.