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Portsmouth reach FA Cup final thanks to Kanu goal

Portsmouth's Nwankwo Kanu, hidden, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against West Bromwich Albion during their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium in London, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

A Nwankwo Kanu goal saw Portsmouth into their first FA Cup final for 69 years as they beat one of his former clubs West Bromwich Albion 1-0 in the first of this weekend’s Wembley semi-finals yesterday.

Portsmouth, the last Premier League side left in this season’s competition and who won the FA Cup for the only time in their history back in 1939, will now face another Championship side in either Barnsley or Cardiff, who play each other in today’s second semi-final, at Wembley on May 17.

Goalless at half-time, the match sparked into life when Kanu put Pompey in front in the 54th minute.

Fellow forward Milan Baros chested down a long through-ball and saw his shot on the turn saved one-handed by former Pompey goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

As the ball ran along the line Zoltan Gera tried to clear before Nigeria international Kanu stabbed home from just a few meters out.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s faint Premier League title hopes were all but extinguished as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool yesterday.

Arsene Wenger’s decision to rest a clutch of first team regulars ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg tie at Anfield back-fired as his makeshift side proved unable to over-turn Peter Crouch’s opening goal.

Nicklas Bendtner preserved Arsenal’s unbeaten home record with a 55th-minute equaliser but a draw was not enough for the north Londoners, who still trail leaders Manchester United by five points having now played a game more.

Liverpool, meanwhile, departed content. Rafael Benitez’s team not only tightened their grip on fourth place and Champions League qualification but the Spaniard’s decision to field a largely reserve side should ensure they are fresh for their European decider.

Benitez’s decision to make eight changes was no surprise. Wenger’s decision to make five was, however, given the manager had suggested he required wins in all his remaining league games to prevent his sputtering title hopes from being completely snuffed out.

His line-up only succeeded in revealing how woefully short on depth Arsenal remain in comparison to their title rivals.

Liverpool’s reserves appeared to relish the opportunity to impress on one of the division’s grander stages and they duly dominated the first half.

Crouch, in particular, performed as if determined to make up for the time he has lost sat on the sidelines this season.

He stung Manuel Almunia’s fingertips with a raking 25-yard drive and then teed up John Arne Riise for a glorious chance, only for the Norwegian to blaze over with his right foot.

Arsenal, it is true, were in an obliging mood and Wenger’s side have rarely delivered such a limp display on home soil.
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