Blackburn Rovers moved into the Carling Cup quarter-finals with goals from Benni McCarthy and Morten Gamst Pedersen as Portsmouth suffered a rare home defeat.
McCarthy slotted Aaron Mokoena's cross home to give Mark Hughes' team an early lead.
The South African striker then turned provider late on, setting Morten Gamst Pedersen free, who finished from close-range after 77 minutes, before Kanu pulled one back with a late header.
Blackburn lost Mokoena with a knee injury in the first half, but still established the upper hand early on, with an unmarked Christopher Samba heading David Bentley's corner just over the bar.
The visitors did not have to wait long to break the deadlock when McCarthy was left free to slide home Mokoena's cross from eight yards.
After Mokoena was substituted Boss Mark Hughes had to make another change eight minutes before half-tme when Bentley, who had been doubtful before kick-off, was replaced by Matt Derbyshire.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp made a double switch at the interval to try and rejuvenate his side, bringing on Matt Taylor and striker David Nugent for Noe Pamarot and Papa Bouba Diop.
But Nugent failed to shine – he missed an absolute sitter, heading wide from only a couple of yards with the goal gaping.
And Blackburn sealed victory with 13 minutes left when McCarthy robbed Pedro Mendes and fed Pedersen, who stole in to score from six yards.
Kanu headed home in the dying seconds to set up a tense finish, but Blackburn hung on to progress to the last eight at Pompey’s expense.
