Blackburn Rovers 3 Portsmouth 0

Vilified for squandering a golden chance in the dying seconds of last Thursday night's ill-fated goalless draw with Bayer Leverkusen, Nonda was back on the money again here, grabbing two predatory goals and making a third for Stephen Warnock as Rovers revived their hopes of securing a top six finish.

The DR Congo international looked a completely different player from the one whose touch deserted him when Rovers needed it the most against savvy German opponents three days earlier.

Selected ahead of Benni McCarthy, whose recent loss of form saw him relegated to the substitutes' bench, Nonda flourished up front alongside Matt Derbyshire, the pair forming a rapier-like partnership that cut Sol Campbell and company to ribbons.

Brimming with energy and invention, Nonda's movement and awareness proved a deadly weapon, and the African might have added to his two goals had David James not saved his second half penalty, or had he shown a little more composure with a couple of presentable chances late on.

Not that Nonda was complaining afterwards.

The on-loan striker was just glad to see his name on the scoresheet again following a difficult few days, and his performance has left manager Mark Hughes with a tough decision to make ahead of Wednesday night's fifth round FA Cup replay with Arsenal.

Does Hughes bring back his leading scorer, who has flattered to deceive of late, or stick with the man currently in possession of the shirt? It's a difficult conundrum.

"I thought Chris was excellent and, in fairness, he was very unselfish on a couple of occasions," said Hughes.

"He showed great awareness and made the right decisions in those situations.

"He hasn't had that many opportunities to have a decent run in the side.

"We see these qualities in training day-in day-out and it's been frustrating for us as well as for Chris because we know he's got great ability - he just needed to produce it.

"Today he did do and I thought he was excellent, along with many others.

"It was a shame that he missed the penalty, but we can't be too greedy."

It remains to be seen whether Nonda keeps his place against the Gunners, but Hughes admitted McCarthy was rested' here because he has recently lost his sparkle.

"Benni needed a break. There's been a lot of onus on him to get the goals for us this season and he's produced the goods for us.

"But he's the only guy I've not been able to give a rest to so I felt today was the right time (to leave him out).

"A bit of spark has gone out of his game recently, but this just shows you what great options I have up front."

This was a mirror image of the corresponding fixture between these two sides on the opening day of the season.

On that occasion, Rovers failed to turn up and got trounced 3-0 by a Portsmouth side inspired by the African flair of Nwankwo Kanu.

This time, however, the roles were reversed and it was Rovers and their African star, Nonda, who were rampant.

Any worries regarding a European hangover were quickly dispelled as Rovers drew first blood before Portsmouth had had time to work up a bead of sweat.

David Bentley's speculative ball into the area should have been meat and drink to Sol Campbell, but instead of clearing the danger, the former England defender got his bearings all wrong and sent a looping header back towards his own goal.

As David James fatally hesitated, Nonda showed great anticipation and nipped in to clip a cute finish beyond the Pompey keeper and inside the far corner: 1-0. And just 57 seconds on the clock!

Encouraged by that whirlwind start, Rovers, who were driven on by the excellent Aaron Mokoena, grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, and Portsmouth's desperation to stem the flow led to bookings for Matthew Taylor and Gary O'Neil, the latter taking his life into his own hands by trying to stop the marauding Chris Samba in full flight.

During a rare foray forward, Portsmouth might have snatched an equaliser when a Pedro Mendes free kick led to uncertainty in Rovers' penalty area, the ball eventually arriving at the feet of Lomana Lualua, who sent a volley inches wide.

However, that was a rare moment of respite in a half that was dominated by Rovers, and they doubled their lead on 25 minutes thanks to a piece of quick-thinking from Bentley.

Sensing Portsmouth were short of numbers at the back, the England hopeful sent Derbyshire scampering clear with a quickly-taken throw-in on the right.

The livewire striker then showed great awareness by delivering a low cross into the centre, which James and Noe Pamarat both tried to clear, but instead they got in each other's way, leaving Nonda with a simple tap-in at the far post: 2-0.

Former Ewood favourite Andy Cole might have reduced the arrears had he not directed his header straight at Brad Friedel from a Taylor free kick.

Unperturbed, Rovers kept pressing forward, and they might have had a penalty had the referee, Mark Clattenburg, spotted what appeared to be a blatant push by Linvoy Primus on the irrepressible Derbyshire as he tried to convert a Morten Gamst Pedersen centre.

In the end, it hardly mattered because Rovers were in no mood to be denied.

They put the game beyond Portsmouth's reach in the 51st minute courtesy of a wonderfully crafted team goal.

Warnock intercepted a pass deep in his own half and then fed Tugay, who in turn released Derbyshire through the middle.

Rovers' young zephyr had too much pace for Primus, who was brushed aside with disdain before the ball was ferried out to Nonda.

The striker could have fired in a shot himself, but instead he unselfishly crossed to the far post, where Warnock beat Derbyshire to slam home the third.

By now, Portsmouth were on their knees, and Nonda should have completed his hat-trick when James felled Pedersen in the box, prompting Mr Clattenburg to point to the spot.

However, the former England keeper then atoned for his error by palming away the Congan's effort.

Jason Roberts, David Dunn and Nonda all missed further opportunities to extend Rovers' advantage, but by then the damage had been done.

Bring on the Arsenal.'