Kanu goal secures Pompey triumph

It has been the most unpredictable FA Cup in years, with shocks, upsets and giant killing galore.

Even the teams which made it to the final were a surprise.

But normality returned today when Premier League side Portsmouth beat Cardiff City at Wembley - their first victory in the final since 1939.

Portsmouth have finally done it. Their manager Harry Redknapp dedicated this remarkable FA cup victory to his wife.

But the FA cup is above all, about the fans.

It was Cardiff who had travelled further, and waited longer, to get to Wembley today. The last time they lifted the FA Cup was back in 1927.

They were underdogs, certainly, but proved themselves no lambs to the slaughter.

Wembley was bathed in various shades of blue as formalities commenced.

Guest of honour was Bobby Robson. Perhaps he had a special word in Kanu's ear, because it was the big Nigerian's contribution that made the difference.

It was only fitting that Cardiff got a first-half sniff of goal. We all want to see the plucky outsiders do well, after all.

But brave or not, an entire division separates these teams - and in the Premiership you make your chances count. Kanu scored with half an hour on the clock.

Ask anyone what the best time is to get your equaliser, and they will reply: just before half time - unless it is disallowed for hand ball. Cardiff were left rueing their luck.

In the second half, chasing a single goal to equalise, Cardiff piled forward. The last 10 minutes saw one desperate goalmouth scramble after another.

The final whistle ended Portsmouth's 69-year FA cup wait. 1-0 victors, and well deserved, too.

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