WIGAN, England – In-form striker Benjani Mwaruwari struck his fifth goal in three games to help Portsmouth to a 2-0 win against Wigan on Saturday.

Zimbabwe international Benjani’s late effort at the JJB Stadium was followed by a solo strike from Glen Johnson to maintain Pompey’s impressive start to the season.

The defeat extends Wigan’s winless run to seven games as new manager Chris Hutchings’s difficult start continues.

England defender Sol Campbell handed Pompey manager Harry Redknapp a boost before kick-off by declaring himself fit after suffering ankle problems during the midweek defeat in Russia.

The home team almost got off to the perfect start when Paul Scharner got to a Andreas Granqvist flick-on but unfortunately for the Austrian midfielder his effort hit the post.

Pompey, looking for their fifth successive win, shook off the early scare and started to pose an attacking threat of their own.

Their endeavour was almost rewarded in the fifth minute but striker Benjani was flagged marginally offside when in a clear goalscoring position.

The visitors then had a flurry of long-range shots, non of which caused Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland undue concern, while for the hosts Antoine Sibierski headed wide of the goal from six-yards out.

Portsmouth started the second half brightly and nearly scored twice in two minutes.

Benjani took control of the ball in the left channel before manouevering space and striking a low drive which Granqvist managed to deflect for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece Campbell found himself free six-yards from goal but the former Arsenal man planted his header wide of the post.

Redknapp’s men almost grabbed the lead in sensational fashion shortly after the hour mark, but Sulley Muntari’s curling free-kick from 30-yards out went narrowly wide of the goal.

Benjani finally broke the deadlock in the 81st minute when he swept home from the penalty spot after being picked out by Muntari’s cross.

The game was put beyond any doubt in the 86th minute when right-back Johnson scored his first Portsmouth goal.

The former Chelsea player drove unopposed down the right wing before cutting inside and unleashing a left-footed shot past Kirkland into the corner of the goal.