ANOTHER impressive performance by Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar, whose goal set in motion England’s demise on Wednesday night, contributed to a Portsmouth victory which further emphasises Harry Redknapp’s management credentials.

Whether Redknapp, who was celebrating his 200th game in charge at Portsmouth, has sufficient support within Soho Square to be offered the role of England head coach is not clear but nobody can doubt he is a formidable football man and the highest-placed English manager in the Premier League.

His team played well in the second half, with Kranjcar - who scored the second goal after a goalkeeping blunder gifted Sulley Muntari the opener - their most potent force. Birmingham were complicit in their own downfall and their proximity to the relegation zone is a worry.

Birmingham’s problems may be partly resolved in the coming week with Scotland manager Alex McLeish having emerged as the clear frontrunner to replace Steve Bruce. The former manager’s concerns - as well as those of the Birmingham board – over the protracted takeover by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is unlikely to be a sufficient deterrent for McLeish, who has long harboured aspirations of managing in the Premier League. McLeish’s appointment is expected to be confirmed by midweek.

“We will appoint a manager within the next seven days and I would urge everybody to get behind him,” revealed Birmingham plc chairman David Sullivan. “As regards to the takeover by Carson Yeung, quite frankly, who knows if this is going to happen? But it will be resolved one way or the other by December 21 [the deadline set by the Birmingham board].”

Eric Black, McLeish’s former teammate at Aberdeen who has had temporary charge of Birmingham since Bruce’s departure, retained some hope that a good result against inform Portsmouth could bolster his own prospects of retaining the job on a permanent basis. But his decision to drop Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maik Taylor and hand Ghanaian international Richard Kingson his Premier League debut proved as successful as Steve McClaren’s backing of Scott Carson over Paul Robinson in England’s nightmare against Croatia on Wednesday.

Poor retention of the ball and a lack of width and pace plagued both teams’ efforts for long stretches of an uninspiring first half. Birmingham came close to a breakthrough when Mikael Forssell, making his first start since the 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on September 1, managed to control Gary McSheffrey’s cross from the left and to hold off Portsmouth defender Noe Pamarot. He turned neatly and shot low towards the left corner but David James dived sharply to his left to make the save.

Unable to find a way through the Blues defence, Portsmouth were reduced to several long-range shots, including a half-volley from 25 yards by Kranjcar that forced a good save from Kingson.

Then, out of the blue, John Utaka played the ball in from the right to Portsmouth’s lone striker, Benjani Mwaruwari, who passed it on to Muntari. There appeared to be no grave danger as he shot but Kingson allowed the ball through his hands to trundle across the line at his near post.

Portsmouth were steadily building their momentum, and Kranjcar, who was an increasingly positive influence on the game, sublimely struck his 82nd-minute free kick from 30 yards, in line with the left edge of the penalty area, rifling it inside the far post with Kingson unable to get near it.

Birmingham’s tame response needed more to stop an ascendant Portsmouth.

Star man: Niko Kranjcar (Portsmouth)

Player ratings: Birmingham: Kingson 5, Kelly 6, Ridgewell 7, Djourou 6, Schmitz 6, De Ridder 5, Muamba 6, Nafti 6, McSheffrey 6 (O’Connor 75min), Kapo 5, Forssell 6

Portsmouth: James 6, Johnson 7, Campbell 7, Distin 8, Pamarot 6, Davis 7, Muntari 7, Utaka 6 (Taylor 81min), Diop 6, Kranjcar 8, Mwaruwari 7