Portsmouth boss Paul Hart was delighted with his players after their victory over Everton.

Peter Crouch scored twice as Pompey came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Fratton Park and breathe new life into their battle for survival.

Portsmouth had started the day out of the bottom three only on goal difference, but moved clear with a hard-fought win.

Goalkeeper David James had suggested some of his team-mates may be playing for a move away from Fratton Park, rather than concentrating on saving the club from relegation.

Hart, though, insists a collective determination to beat the drop is the only thing on his players' minds.

"I work with them every day and have seen desire from every single person around the club to keep the team in the Premier League," declared Hart, in charge until the end of the season.

"The performances only go to show that is the case.

"Everybody has got a job to do, they have responsibilities and when they stick to them, we are a hard team to play against."

Hart added: "This result is only what we deserve for the hard work we have put in over the past five games.

"I am not surprised we got that result, because we have been close, and I can make a case for winning every game we have played.

"It was not the best start, but after the first five minutes, we put everything together and from then on, we were absolutely excellent."

Pompey rallied after conceding an early goal, and Hart said: "You have got to give us some credit for stopping Everton, because prior to us they have been beaten once in 18 games and that was by Manchester United.

"That shows you the magnitude of our performance.

"I am expecting the level of that performance and desire to be maintained from now on.

"If we do our jobs, then we will get the results we deserve."