Portsmouth Win FA Cup

On Saturday last, Portsmouth lifted The FA Cup for only the second time in their history and for the first time in 69 years, as Kanu's first half goal settled the final with Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds had only won the FA Cup once before in their history and it was much to manager Dave Jones' credit that they ran their EPL opponents hard for 90 minutes.

With 12 minutes gone, City had a great chance to take the lead when Joe Ledley's through ball was picked up by Paul Parry in the box. He looked to slide a left footed shot past David James, but the Pompey keeper was equal to it and made a good block. From the resulting corner, Peter Whittingham's effort took a sizeable deflection and bounced narrowly wide of the post with James stranded.

At the other end, Portsmouth came even closer in the 21st minute. Niko Krancjar and Muntari linked well on the left before the latter picked out Kanu in the box. The Nigerian appeared certain to open the scoring after dancing around Enckelman, but he placed his shot against the post when it seemed easier to score from a matter of yards.

It was Kanu who broke the deadlock and made amends for his earlier miss in the 37th minute though. John Utaka delivered a cross from the right and when Enckelman couldn't keep hold of the ball, Kanu was there to fire home from close range.

Cardiff had the ball in the net on the stroke of half time, when Glenn Loovens lifted a lob into the goal following a corner but the whistle had already been sounded for a previous handball and the effort was chalked out.

In the second half the Bluebirds forced another spell of pressure but Portsmouth remained resolute until Mike Dean signaled full time and the celebrations could begin.