The Zimbabwean struck a memorable hat-trick - just as he did the last time Pompey scored in a home league match, the 7-4 rout of Reading on September 29 - to win 3-1 against Derby.

Since the Reading romp Pompey have drawn scoreless with West Ham, Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal and lost 1-0 to Tottenham and Middlesbrough.

A delighted Redknapp said: "We pushed on after a bad start today and got the result we needed."

Pompey went a goal behind when Lewin Nyatanga struck after just five minutes and Redknapp added: "Benjani got three great goals but it was the crowd that lifted us."

The manager, who turned down Newcastle's mouth-watering offer to join them in place of sacked manager Sam Allardyce last week, added: "The fans could have got frustrated and moaned and turned against the team after so long without a goal but they don't do that here.

"The crowd's great, always has been for me, and that's one of the reasons I'm happy here. I've said Kevin Keegan is the right appointment for Newcastle - certainly their fans - and I wish him luck."

Benjani, who now has 12 goals this season, finally levelled with a shot on the turn on 39 minutes and then put Pompey ahead with a header four minutes later.

A sweeping move in combination with Pedro Mendes brought his third eight minutes into the second half.

Redknapp said: "When he first came here two seasons ago he couldn't score to save his life but he's getting them now.

"His strike rate used to be diabolical and that's being kind to him. He had 15 or 16 games after we signed him before he scored against Wigan when Paul Jewell was manager there in the last but one match of the season.

"But he covered all that with hard work and non-stop running. He's a smashing lad and the fans love him.

"Today he scored three different types of goals and you'll struggle to see a better one than the last one. He's come up the hard way. He's hard as iron, takes a knock and plays with injuries that most players would not.

"It was (Arsenal boss) Arsene Wenger who first put me on to him. We'd heard Benjani was available in France at Auxerre and I asked Wenger's advice. He said I should get on the next flight and go and get him."

Redknapp was also delighted with new signing Lassana Diarra.

The Portsmouth manager said: "He's a class act, no doubt about that. I was delighted with his debut. I spoke to Alex Ferguson at Reading last week and he couldn't believe we were getting him."

Derby boss Jewell saw his side extend their run without a win to 18 games and admitted: "It's the same old story I suppose. We gave them goals after taking the lead.

"But I love the job and I'm determined to bring some success to the people who keep coming to watch us. We had 1200 fans follow us toady and they never stop cheering.

"Our problem was that we defended too deep and let too many crosses come into the box."

Derby, minus suspended Claude Davis and injured Tyrone Mears, also lost Danny Mills.

One of Jewell's raft of new signings in the January transfer window, Mills could be out for several weeks.

The former England defender appeared to damage a hip in a collision with Pompey's Niko Kranjcar and will have a scan tomorrow.

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