Cardiff City

0-1

Portsmouth

 

 

Kanu 37

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
The Final
3pm, Saturday 17 May 2008
Wembley Stadium
Winning clubs will receive £1,000,000 from The FA



Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp described his side's FA Cup Final victory over Cardiff today as a "dream come true''.

Kanu was Pompey's match-winner, just as he was in the semi-final, capitalising on Bluebirds goalkeeper Peter Enckelman fumbling a John Utaka cross to tap in from close range for the only goal.

The victory gave Portsmouth their first FA Cup success since 1939 and booked them a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Redknapp said: "It's fantastic for everybody - my family, the players, it's great. It has been a difficult year off the field so to win the FA Cup is a dream come true.

"Cardiff were putting us under pressure, putting balls in the box, they played well and worked hard.

"When we get in front we're difficult to break down and the defence were terrific.''

Goalkeeper David James added: "It was another hard game, a bit scrappy again but we deserved to win.

"The lads held tight, we've only conceded one goal in the whole competition and we've been good.''

Asked about his manager Redknapp, James said: "Harry's a legend now isn't he? Hats off, well done Harry.''

Defender Sol Campbell, part of the Pompey defence that withstood some late pressure from the Championship side, said: "It's fantastic, this is a brilliant day for everyone who's connected with Portsmouth.

"We worked hard, we had our luck through the rounds but in the end the result was good.

"Cardiff played good football, they had good chances but I think the quality came through in the end.''

Teams

Cardiff City
1 Peter Enckelman, 2 Kevin McNaughton, 3 Tony Capaldi, 4 Gavin Rae (18 Trevor Sinclair 87), 6 Glenn Loovens, 7 Peter Whittingham (30 Aaron Ramsey 62), 10 Stephen McPhail, 11 Paul Parry, 12 Roger Johnson, 16 Joe Ledley, 36 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (20 Steven Thompson 71)

Subs
13 Michael Oakes, 5 Darren Purse

Portsmouth
1 David James, 5 Glen Johnson, 6 Lassana Diarra, 7 Hermann Hreidarsson, 11 Sulley Muntari, 15 Sylvain Distin, 17 John Utaka (10 David Nugent 69), 19 Niko Kranjcar, 23 Sol Campbell, 27 Nwankwo Kanu (9 Milan Baros 87), 30 Pedro Mendes (8 Papa Boupa Diop 78)

Substitutes Not Used
21 Jamie Ashdown, 16 Noe Pamarot

Attendance: 89,874

Match Officials
Referee: Mike Dean (Cheshire FA)
Assistant Referees: Trevor Massey (Manchester FA) & Martin Yerby (Kent FA)
Fourth Official: Chris Foy (Liverpool FA)