Kanu’s first-half goal
won the FA Cup for Portsmouth against Cardiff City in a low-key final at
Wembley.
The Nigerian scrambled home the winner at the near post eight minutes
before half-time after Cardiff keeper Peter Enckelman fumbled John Utaka’s
cross.
Cardiff enjoyed possession but rarely posed a serious threat, although
Glenn Loovens had a goal ruled out for handball in first-half injury time.
And Portsmouth held on to claim the trophy for the first time since 1939.
It was a personal triumph for emotional Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp as
he claimed his first major trophy in a management and coaching career
stretching back 25 years.
He raced on to the pitch afterwards to celebrate as Portsmouth’s win
earned them a place in next season’s Uefa Cup – their first European
adventure.
The final was given a magnificent backdrop by both clubs’ noisy and
colourful fans who clearly wanted to make the most of their moment in the
limelight.
Underdogs Cardiff, who were trying to become the first team from outside
the top flight to win the Cup since West Ham United beat Arsenal in 1980,
played with spirit, but did not have the quality to seriously disturb the
Pompey defence, in which Campbell and Sylvain Distin were outstanding.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones did not gamble on Robbie Fowler, even as a
substitute, after four months out with a hip problem – and his side did
not feel his absence in a lively start.
Joe Ledley played in Paul Parry in the 12th minute but Portsmouth keeper
David James made a crucial block to deny Cardiff the lead.
Kanu posted the warning signals for Cardiff as early as the 21st minute
when he took a pass from Sulley Muntari in his stride and danced around
keeper Enckelman, only to send his effort against the outside of the post
with the goal unguarded.
He made no mistake eight minutes before the interval when Enckelman could
only push out Utaka’s whipped cross from the right flank and Kanu pounced
to score.
Cardiff had more than held their own and almost provided an instant
response when Parry raced clear down the left, but his cross stretched
Kevin McNaughton as he arrived at the far post and the chance was gone.
And Bluebirds had a goal ruled out in first-half injury time when Pompey
keeper James – who has form for high-profile mistakes in FA Cup finals –
missed a corner, but Loovens handled before sending a looping finish into
the net.
Loovens came to Cardiff’s rescue after 52 minutes when Utaka set up Kanu
again and he was forced to block a goal-bound shot with his chest.
Cardiff failed to apply consistent pressure to Portsmouth and boss Jones
made a change after 61 minutes, sending on gifted 17-year-old prodigy
Aaron Ramsey for Peter Whittingham.
It had been a desperately disappointing afternoon for the veteran Jimmy
Floyd Hasselbaink, so it was no surprise when he was also hauled off with
20 minutes left and time running out for a Cardiff response.
David Nugent had come on as replacement for Utaka, and he forced Enckelman
into a smart near-post save from a rising drive as Portsmouth attempted to
kill the final off.
Loovens had proved to be a danger man for Cardiff at set-pieces and he
sent a header bouncing just over the bar from Ramsey’s corner after 79
minutes.
Cardiff’s desire to push forward for an equaliser left them open to a
counter-attack and Distin almost punished them with a run from the
half-way line that was only halted by a fine tackle from Roger Johnson.
But it was Portsmouth’s day as for once the favourites justified their tag
in this season’s unpredictable FA Cup.
To their credit, many Cardiff supporters stayed inside the stadium to see
Pompey lift the Cup before they melted away to contemplate their sorrows.
Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka (Nugent
69), Pedro Mendes (Diop 78), Diarra, Muntari, Kranjcar, Kanu (Baros 87).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Pamarot.
Booked: Hreidarsson, Kranjcar, Diarra.
Goals: Kanu 37.
Cardiff: Enckelman, McNaughton, Johnson, Loovens, Capaldi, Ledley, Rae
(Sinclair 86), McPhail, Whittingham (Ramsey 61), Parry, Hasselbaink
(Thompson 70).
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse.
Att: 89,874
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral). |
