After another storming second half performance had brought Pompey their seventh Division 1 away win of the season, manager Harry Redknapp conceded that anything less than automatic promotion for the Blues would rank as 'a failure' in his eyes.

Redknapp declared: "We have exceeded by miles what I thought we would achieve, but after this start anything less than either first or second now is going to be failure.

"Forty-eight points from 20 games is an incredible total and is something I never expected us to get anywhere near at this stage."

Pompey's Premiership-class display came at a cost with both Paul Merson and Linvoy Primus limping off with injuries, and afterwards Redknapp stressed the need for him to go back in the market: "Now is the time to strengthen the squad and take a little gamble to help push us on to promotion.

"The chairman knows we are not going to get another chance like this. But I think he will risk it because he has been excellent and if anyone deserves success then it is him."

Pompey now face a real central defensive crisis next weekend against Walsall, as Redknapp explained: "With Primus having torn a groin muscle today and being out for a while, I am left with just one fit central defender on the staff - Hayden Foxe. De Zeeuw is suspended, Festa is out for another three or four months and Howe is nowhere near ready. I was trying all last week to get somebody in but it's not easy."

Gary O'Neil came on for Merson midway through the first half, and the England Under-20 captain grabbed his chance with both hands, scoring the vital third goal and was the

driving force behind Pompey's superb second half display.

Going in 1-1 at half time, Pompey outclassed the Owls in a one-sided second half.

Todorov opened the scoring on 11 minutes only for loanee Leon Knight to equalise for Wednesday 16 minutes later.

But Pompey's superior passing and movement in the second period brought another goal for Todorov on 50 minutes, and then the Bulgarian started the move which ended with Pericard setting up O'Neil for the youngster to sweep the ball home from close range on 64 minutes.