POMPEY THROUGH TO FA CUP FINALPortsmouth’s Nwankwo Kanu ensured peripatetic manager Harry Redknapp will have his day at Wembley next month. The Nigerian striker scored the only goal of the game – a simple rebound nine minutes into the second half – to end the FA Cup dreams of Championship West Bromwich.
Though this year’s FA Cup semi-finals heralded the first time in over a century that only one club in the top tier were involved, this match was not the David and Goliath affair that it might have been. With WBA starting the game at Wembley in fourth place in the Championship, there is every chance they will gain promotion to the Premier League; a division they were in only two seasons ago.
When these teams last played each other, 27 months ago in the top tier, Portsmouth won 1-0 at Fratton Park, with substitute Svetoslav Todorov scoring the winner before being taken off himself. Though WBA beat Pompey in their home game four months earlier in the season, the Black Country club fell down the relegation trap door and Portsmouth ended the season in fourth from bottom.
It was the Championship club who started the game brighter, in what was a tight, combative first half. After only six minutes they had the game’s opening shot – Zoltan Gera’s fizzing drive from 25 yards which goalkeeper David James parried. The ball was hoofed clear, but WBA’s tails were up; they were not going to be intimidated by their Premier League opponents.
And rightly so – without cup-tied striker Jermain Defoe, who has netted eight times in seven games since his arrival from Tottenham, Redknapp’s team looked blunt. Defoe’s understudy, former Champions League winner with Liverpool Milan Baros, was ring-rusty, and squandered the half chances afforded to Portsmouth before the interval. Though he had a big hand in Kanu’s goal, the game might have been won before half time had Defoe been on the pitch.
In Pomey’s first meaningful attack midfielder Lassana Diarra threaded an inviting ball though after 20 minutes, but the Czech was caught offside. Five minutes later Baros’ mazy dribble into the WBA area fizzled out into nothing but frustration for the south coast team. That was to epitomise his afternoon.
It took half an hour for the Premier League team to register their first shot on target, from Sulley Muntari’s 30 yard free kick which arrowed harmlessly into Dean Kiely’s hands.
But after the interval Kanu tapped in a Baros shot parried by the unlucky Kiely to give earn Portsmouth their first FA Cup Final since 1939, and Redknapp's first ever. It is 58 years since the south coast side have won a trophy, and on May 17 there is every chance that they will change that record.
Redknapp’s team will play either Barnsley or Cardiff, who will scrap for the remaining finalist’s spot in Sunday’s second semi-final.
WBA (4-4-2)KIELY 6/10
The 37-year-old had little to do before the interval and was very unlucky with the goal – it was a good save to stop Baros’ shot.
HOEFKENS 6/10
Tackled and harried well, and was not afraid to push forward. His junking run with 15 minutes remaining teed up Robert Koren, whose shot skimmed the cross bar.
CLEMENTS 6/10
A solid performance, he tackled and anticipated well, keeping the Portsmouth forwards quiet for most of the match. Baros did turn him a number of times however, and one can only imagine what Jermain Defoe would have done.
ALBRECHTSON 6/10
Played well with his central defensive partner, though his lack of pace shown when David Nugent entered the game.
ROBINSON 7/10
A gritting and determined performance from the left-back. He was strong in the tackle and advanced whenever he could.
KOREN 6/10
Aside from his late shot outside the area which grazed David James’ crossbar, the right-winger did little to impress. Tidy and efficient, he could have run at Portsmouth’s defense more.
GREENING 7/10
The WBA skipper started the game oozing confidence and was able to pick his passes with ease in the first half hour.
GERA 6/10
A good game from the Hungarian international, but he could be deemed responsible for the goal. If he were quicker off the mark he might have cleared the ball before it dropped to Kanu.
MORRISON 5/10
The left-winger found it hard to stamp his authority on his opposite man Glen Johnson, and had a quite hour before being substituted.
PHILLIPS 6/10
The 34-year-old former England international showed sparks of why he was one of the Premier League’s top marksmen but failed to get the better of Campbell and Distin on this occasion. Might still get one last game at Wembley if his team make the Championship play-off final.
BEDNAR 5/10
Withdrawn after 60 minutes and only had one shot worthy of note. His sixth minute drive was stopped by England ‘keeper James. He huffed and puffed but got little change out of the Pompey defence.
SUBSTITUTES (6/10) MILLER, who came on with BRUNT after an hour, should have equalised but his shot with five minutes remaining was just wide.
PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2)JAMES 6/10
Not his usual commanding self, the England goalkeeper spilled a couple of shots and almost gifted Kevin Phillips an open goal.
JOHNSON 7/10
An accomplished performance by the young right-back. He showed confidence in both attack and defence and a good turn of pace when needed.
CAMPBELL 7/10
The England defender was imposing and solid alongside his central defensive partner. Bossed in the air and had Kevin Phillips in his pocket.
DISTIN 8/10
The former Manchester City captain showed why Harry Redknapp wanted him so much at the start of the season. Tall, commanding and quick, he crushed WBA’s FA Cup dreams.
HREIDARSSON 6/10
The Icelandic utility man had a steady, if not expansive game. Never too comfortable going forward, he stuck to what he knows best – defending.
MUNTARI 7/10
The Ghanaian took his time to rise to the occasion, but when he did in the second half he showed some good touches in a tight game.
BOUBA DIOP 7/10
Sluggish to begin with the tough Senegalese midfielder imposed his authority on the midfield but only after the first half an hour.
DIARRA 6/10
Played well without catching the eye too much. Played a lovely ball through to Baros in the first 20 minutes but the Czech was offside.
KRANJCAR 7/10
The left-winger added touches of class to a game that was combative and tight. He played though Baros late in the game. The striker should have scored but fluffed it.
KANU 6/10
Though he netted the all important goal the Nigerian found it hard to get into the game. Still it was a neat finish and he was the quickest to react when Kiely saved Baros’ shot.
BAROS 7/10
An infuriating game for the former Liverpool and Lyon striker. He tried so hard to get his first goal fro the club but squandered a dozen opportunities.
SUBSTITUTES (6/10) NUGENT had 20 minutes to impress and should have sealed the win but he blazed his shot over the bar. DAVIS came on for the tired Kanu five minutes from the end.
BEST ATTEMPTWith the score at 1-0 WBA threw the kitchen sink at Pompey in search of an equaliser. Full-back Carl Hoefkens picked out Robert Koren just outside the area on the left. The midfielder hit his shot first time and it flicked off the top of the cross bar having beaten England ‘keeper David James.
BEST SAVEThough it resulted in the only goal of the game, Dean Kiely’s stop from Milan Baros was superb. It was only because his defence did not react quick enough that Kanu was able to score.
REFWATCH: HOWARD WEBBWebb did well to only book one player – Baros for handling – in a tight game. He was largely anonymous in the high-octane affair.
MAN OF THE MATCHSylvain Distin. The Frenchman was imperious alongside Sol Campbell. His height allowed him to boss in the air and his pace and anticipation meant that WBA’s striking pair of Kevin Phillips and Roman Bednar had few opportunities all afternoon.
KEVIN PHILLIPS v MILAN BAROSThe former England striker, 34, showed good, selfless touches but failed to have a clean shot on goal. He worked hard but against Campbell and Distin he was given little chance to score.
The Czech striker, in for the cup-tied Jermain Defoe, is still yet to score for Portsmouth in nine games. Though he worked tirelessly hard yesterday, and his shot caused the winning goal, his final pass or shot showed ring rustiness. Of the two Baros had the edge if only for his work rate.
Labels: FA Cup, football, Portsmouth, Wembley, West Bromwich Albion
