Vassell buoyed by timely win April 20 2008
Goalscorer Darius Vassell admitted Manchester City's 3-1 victory at home to Portsmouth was a timely boost.
Vassell and Martin Petrov struck within three first-half minutes of each other before Benjani Mwaruwari's first City goal on home soil finally finished off 10-man Portsmouth and probably killed off their hopes of overhauling fifth-placed Everton in the process.
Pompey had Hermann Hreidarsson sent off for a cynical block on Vassell after John Utaka had halved the early deficit.
Asked about the importance of the win after a period of poor form since Christmas, Vassell said on Sky Sports 1: "We've been looking for a result like that, especially at home, to lift the fans, lift the team and lift the players."
The former England striker admitted he gambled for the goal when David James was caught out.
"I think we caught the keeper out a little bit and I thought if I got to the back stick I'd have a chance.
"I was in the right place - I may have been offside - but they all count."
Vassell admitted Hreidarsson may have been unlucky to see red.
"To be honest, I don't think I was going to get to the ball.
"I think it was a foul but maybe not a sending off."
Benjani insisted he was never tempted to celebrate his goal against the team he was reluctant to leave in January.
"I knew already that I wouldn't celebrate if I scored so it was easy not to.
"It means a lot against an old team. I respect them and it's nice to score against them."