Portsmouth plundered their third win in a row to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premiership.

Stand-in skipper Gary O'Neil claimed two crazy goals and Fulham had midfielder Michael Brown sent off for a dreadful challenge on one of their former players - Sean Davis.

Lomana LuaLua restored Pompey's lead after a stunning drive by Steed Malbranque wiped out O'Neil's opener in the first 30 seconds courtesy of a blunder by England full-back Wayne Bridge - under the watching gaze of Sven-Goran Eriksson.

But the deflection to remember for Fulham came just after the hour - and settled the match. O'Neil's shot with the outside of his foot got a massive deflection and flew over goalkeeeper Mark Crossley.

Brown, a January signing from Tottenham - was sent off 12 minutes later for his two-footed assault on Davis - who had been jeered all afternoon by his former fans.

Brown was lucky not to get a card of some colour earlier for a poor tackle on another former White Hart Lane team-mate - Pedro Mendes.