The magic of the FA Cup never fails to deliver; underestimating it is a sorry state of affairs. Yesterday, the fairytale of Portsmouth in this season’s FA Cup continues, as they overcame Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley 2-0 after extra-time. It is a staggering result, considering the perilous state of affairs that have engulfed the South Coast club in the past twelve months. Relegation was confirmed from the Premiership on Saturday afternoon and still, there is an uncertain future for the club, with no signs of an immediate buyer. However, the players and Avram Grant have stuck together throughout thick and thin, and the results are now starting to pay dividends, especially for their loyal and caring supporters.
It was a fantastic semi-final, and even if chances were scarce, both teams had the desire and the energy to win the game in normal time. It quickly became clear that one goal might be enough to see off your opponents, either through a stroke of genius or a critical error. In the end, it came from Michael Dawson. The centre-back, who has been in great form for most of the season, crucially slipped at the most inopportune time from a free-kick and the quarter-final hero for Pompey, Frederic Piquionne coolly slotted his chance past the advancing Gomes. As Spurs pushed forward, gaps were exposed at the back and a determined Aruna Dindane drew a foul from Wilson Palacios in the closing stages of the extra period. Kevin-Prince Boateng, an ex-Tottenham player and a man who looked bereft of confidence all day following an injury lay-off despatched the penalty with some aplomb. The fantasy had turned into a dream.
Moments away from going out of the cup in a replay at Coventry on a freezing January night, Portsmouth got some luck courtesy of a Stephen Wright own goal, then Aaron Mokena headed home with the last kick in extra-time to see Pompey scrape through. Since then, they haven’t looked back and the 2008 winners will have a load of mutual appreciation for their battling qualities and support from many to finish the job off back at Wembley on May 15th.
They will face cup holders and Premiership league leaders Chelsea in the final, after a rather comfortable semi-final success over Aston Villa on Saturday night. A 3-0 scoreline certainly flattered Chelsea, but they were clear winners. Villa had been on top in the first half, but failed to seize total command when Chelsea looked bereft of confidence. Martin O’Neill’s side were unlucky, when John Obi Mikel blatantly brought down Gabriel Agbonlahor in the first half. However, referee Howard Webb continued his shocking form, by waving away the strong protests. He also decided to only book John Terry for an x-rated challenge, which James Milner was lucky to walkaway from a serious injury. It wasn’t malicious, but certainly wreckless and unnecessary from Terry, and drew a lot of frustration from O’Neill, who must feel that his side have been robbed at Wembley this season, following the Carling Cup final, when Nemanja Vidic avoided dismissal for clearly bringing down Agbonlahor when he was clear in on goal.
Didier Drogba’s Wembley love continued, as he broke the deadlock midway through the second half, turning in a mishit shot from Terry. It is Drogba’s fifth Wembley goal already in six appearances, a staggering statistic. Further goals from Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard in the dying stages put a further gloss onto the final scoreline. Despite their early European exit, you can’t complain about Carlo Ancelotti’s first season at the Bridge, if he delivers the domestic double.
We are now down to the final two then, on May 15th, Wembley Stadium, hopefully with a better playing surface which plagued the semis this weekend and though Chelsea start as overwhelming favourites on the day, the hope is that the Portsmouth bandwagon can give them a great game for a fabulous occasion.
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