FA Cup: Portsmouth defeat West Brom, advance to final

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Saturday, April 5, 2008

March 5, 2008
12:15
(GMT)
West Bromwich Albion 0 – 1 Portsmouth Wembley, London
Attendance: 83,584
Referee: Howard Webb
Morrison Substituted off after 60 minutes 60'
Brunt Substituted on after 60 minutes 60'
Bednar Substituted off after 60 minutes 60'
Miller Substituted on after 60 minutes 60'
Gera Substituted off after 75 minutes 75'
Kim Substituted on after 75 minutes 75'
Match Report Scored after 54 minutes 54' (1) Kanu
Substituted off after 71 minutes 71' Baros
Substituted on after 71 minutes 71' Nugent
Substituted off after 80 minutes 80' Kanu
Substituted on after 80 minutes 80' Davis


West Bromwich Albion took on the only Premier League team remaining in the FA Cup on Saturday, with Portsmouth coming out on top. Pompey had defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the quarter-finals to advance to this stage, while West Brom crushed Bristol Rovers 5-1 to advance to this stage.

West Brom started the game strongly, with their first chance coming when Zolton Gera shot the ball right and David James who couldn't hold on, and the ball had to be hacked clear by Sol Campbell. The Baggies dominated the midfield for much of the first half and Portsmouth had to play off the counter-attack, but couldn't produce any good chances. Portsmouth began to gain steam nearing halftime, but neither team would score in the first period.

After the break it was Portsmouth who took the lead through Kanu. A miscommunication between defender and goalkeeper occurred after Kiely made a fine save off Milan Baros. The ball ended up at Kanu's feet around five yards away from the goal, and the Nigerian side footed the ball calmly into the corner. After their goal Portsmouth began to control the match, but West Brom still get their chances as Robert Koren smashes a shot off the crossbar. West Brom pushed for the equalizer near the end of the match, but the Portsmouth defense stood firm and will now await the winner of Barnsley v Cardiff to see who they will take on at Wembley in the final.

Sources