Cardiff 0-1 Portsmouth

Nwanko Kanu scores the only goal of the FA Cup final at Wembley.

In an entertaining final, Portsmouth’s Kanu hit the solitary goal on 37 minutes.

Cardiff certainly played their part in the free flowing game, playing with a positive manner but ultimately Portsmouth’s class was too much for the Welsh side.

Kanu should have got the opener on 21 minutes. Sulley Muntari played him in, his trademark quick footwork took the ball around Enckelman, but he shot against the post when the goal was open from an acute angle.

It didn’t take the Nigerian long to make amends though, Utaka whipped in a low cross from the right, Enckelman should have punched the ball away, instead he pushed it towards the oncoming Kanu who knocked it into the net from close range.

Cardiff were unfortunate not to have replied when they had a goal ruled out at the end of the first half. A David James blooper, he missed a cross, as he attempted to recover he knocked the ball against the arm of Loovens, Loovens reacted quickly and looped the ball over the melee of defenders and into the net. But the referee disallowed the goal, perhaps harshly.

The second half did not quite live up to the example set by the first half, but Cardiff were still willing to press Pompey whenever they could get on the ball.

Although Cardiff ended with a half chance or two, Portsmouth were cheering at the final whistle, as they celebrated Wembley glory and their UEFA Cup place.

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