Pompey only managed to cash in on a lethargic first half display by their visitors with a seventh-minute strike by Benjani Mwaruwari, but Redknapp insisted: "We should have been four up before the break.

Matthew Taylor had added a spectacular second before Emre's penalty gave Newcastle a glimmer of hope, before James denied Martins to save the points.

Redknapp said: "We battered them like you wouldn't believe. Kanu and Benjani ripped them to pieces and they replaced a centre-half (Craig Moore replaced by Oguchi Onyewu).

"But after they scored from a penalty to make it 2-1 we got edgy and needed Jamo again when Linvoy (Primus) cocked up near the finish."

Even so, Portsmouth moved up to seventh in the Premiership over Tottenham who play Wigan tomorrow.

And that would be good enough for a UEFA Cup place next season if Manchester United and Chelsea meet in the FA Cup final next month.

Redknapp said: "I haven't even been thinking of Europe lately. Nobody has here. Nobody did, certainly, when we lost to Rotherham or whatever and slipped into the bottom six of the old championship a few years ago.

"We just want to finish as high as we can. If we finish in the top 10 it will be a fantastic season for Portsmouth."

Kanu has not added to his 12-goal tally since February 10 but he had one ruled out when his first half shot bounced down, seemingly over the line, and went close on several occasions.

Redknapp said: "Kanu was excellent today. He's so clever the way he holds the ball up, brings other people into play and creates chances for himself. I haven't seen a replay of his shot which hit the bar but he thinks it was in."

Newcastle's £11million striker Martins also had opportunities but his header was cleared off the line at the end of the first half and he powered another one against the crossbar - just before Pompey's second goal on the hour.

James defied him again late on and Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder admitted: "Oba had a number of chances and it was a pity he didn't take the last one in particular because it would have given us a point.

"We looked a different team in the second half after a few things were said in the dressing room. The first half was very poor. We had to make some changes because some players were just not doing it.

"We took off Craig Moore after 30 minutes because he was struggling but he's only just come back from a long injury lay-off.

"He trained all right this week after being rested against Arsenal and we thought he was fit but obviously Kanu gives lots of problems to defenders and we thought it was right to make the change."

Newcastle, already without Scott Parker, Kieron Dyer, keeper Shay Given and other key players, also lost winger Damien Duff in the second half when he pulled up in agony.

Roeder said: "Damien took two heavy tackles on his ankle and it has swollen up so quickly that he's already a doubt for the Chelsea match next week. He will probably have a scan tomorrow morning."

Roeder, bitterly disappointed with his team's display in the first half, said he will look at training this week before deciding whether England striker Michael Owen makes his comeback against Chelsea next Sunday having been out since the World Cup.

Owen played and scored in a midweek friendly against Scottish side Gretna but Roeder said: "That is a long way from a Premier League match but of course Michael is itching to play again.

"The main thing for me is when he comes back for Newcastle United. It is not all about England. It is about him coming back and playing for the club that paid Real Madrid £17million for him and who pay his wages.

"I have to say he is in great shape with his rehabilitation but he is running ahead of schedule and only when our medical staff, himself and I decide he is fit to play again will he do so.

"He has got God-given ability and what we all want to see is him pulling on that Newcastle shirt again first before anything else."