Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp hailed David James as "the best keeper in the business" after he made history during the his side's goalless draw at Aston Villa.
James set a new record for Premiership clean sheets - 142 - by shutting out Martin O'Neill's side with a string of superb saves.
It enabled the 36-year-old to surpass the previous record, which was held by Arsenal and England keeper David Seaman.
Redknapp said: "I'm absolutely delighted for 'Jamo'. He is a fantastic keeper. He is absolutely top drawer and he deserves the record.
"He showed again today what he is about by making a couple of great saves. He is the best in the business in my opinion. That is why I signed him.
"There is no one better than 'Jamo'. I honestly believe he will play for another four or five years. He is that good and he is that fit.
"It was nice for him to get the record at Villa because he played for them as well. It was a terrific day for him."
Portsmouth climbed into eighth spot in the table with a hard-earned point and Redknapp is philosophical about his team's chances of qualifying for Europe.
He continued: "It's a good point away from home. If you win at home and get points on the road you are going to do well. We have clawed out some decent points away from home.
"We've got three games left and what happens will happen. I'm just delighted to be sitting on 50 points, above the likes of Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
"It's a good achievement for Portsmouth and we have done well this season. Today as a team we defended well and worked ever so hard.
"We lacked a bit of pace to enable us to hit teams on the counter-attack so it is not easy for us away from home - but we dug in."
Villa boss O'Neill conceded that James, who spent two seasons at Villa before moving to West Ham in 2000, had been the difference between the sides.
He said: "David James was brilliant. He made some wonderful saves. The lads say the one to deny Gabriel Agbonlahor was extraordinary.
"He was really splendid and he was the difference between the picking up of one point instead of all three.
"We controlled the midfield but I felt that had we scored, Portsmouth would have had to come out and it might have opened things up.
"We created five great chances and Thomas Sorensen was not bothered at all during the whole game.
"But it's about what happens over a whole season and Portsmouth are going for Europe because they deserve to after what they have done over 35 games.
"Nevertheless, we are now unbeaten in six games and I think the fans were encouraged by what they saw."
It enabled the 36-year-old to surpass the previous record, which was held by Arsenal and England keeper David Seaman.
Redknapp said: "I'm absolutely delighted for 'Jamo'. He is a fantastic keeper. He is absolutely top drawer and he deserves the record.
"He showed again today what he is about by making a couple of great saves. He is the best in the business in my opinion. That is why I signed him.
"There is no one better than 'Jamo'. I honestly believe he will play for another four or five years. He is that good and he is that fit.
"It was nice for him to get the record at Villa because he played for them as well. It was a terrific day for him."
Portsmouth climbed into eighth spot in the table with a hard-earned point and Redknapp is philosophical about his team's chances of qualifying for Europe.
He continued: "It's a good point away from home. If you win at home and get points on the road you are going to do well. We have clawed out some decent points away from home.
"We've got three games left and what happens will happen. I'm just delighted to be sitting on 50 points, above the likes of Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
"It's a good achievement for Portsmouth and we have done well this season. Today as a team we defended well and worked ever so hard.
"We lacked a bit of pace to enable us to hit teams on the counter-attack so it is not easy for us away from home - but we dug in."
Villa boss O'Neill conceded that James, who spent two seasons at Villa before moving to West Ham in 2000, had been the difference between the sides.
He said: "David James was brilliant. He made some wonderful saves. The lads say the one to deny Gabriel Agbonlahor was extraordinary.
"He was really splendid and he was the difference between the picking up of one point instead of all three.
"We controlled the midfield but I felt that had we scored, Portsmouth would have had to come out and it might have opened things up.
"We created five great chances and Thomas Sorensen was not bothered at all during the whole game.
"But it's about what happens over a whole season and Portsmouth are going for Europe because they deserve to after what they have done over 35 games.
"Nevertheless, we are now unbeaten in six games and I think the fans were encouraged by what they saw."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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