Harry Redknapp’s side succeeded in subduing their Championship opponents throughout the second half, dominating possession and rarely collapsing into their own area until the late Cardiff pressure when Roger Johnson had the Bluebird's best chance.

David Nugent had a good opportunity to add to Portsmouth’s lead shortly after his 68^th minute introduction; his angled volley was well parried by Peter Enckelman. Some outstanding individual performances from Cardiff were unrewarded come the final whistle, as the likes of Joe Ledley and Glenn Loovens would count themselves unlucky to be on the losing end of this encounter.

In the end though, it was to prove to be Harry Redknapp’s day. His side have won all 22 matches this season when they took the lead and conceded only one goal throughout their FA Cup campaign. Ultimately for captain Sol Campbell and co., they were worthy winners of this season’s instalment of the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.

First Half:

From the opening exchanges emerged the Cardiff tactic that was to provide their most effective outlet of the opening period; Paul Parry raced clear of Sol Campbell to latch on to Peter Whittingham’s raking pass within the opening minute, only to be denied by the well placed David James, who rushed clear of his goalmouth to prevent a chance.

Campbell and his 33 years were struggling to contain Parry, three times he eluded Campbell in the first half to cause problems for Harry Redknapp’s defence. Parry’s best opportunity was well saved on 14 minutes by James, who denied the striker from point-blank range.

The Welsh side were not merely impressing sporadically; they matched their Premier League counterparts in the majority of areas with the subtle two-footedness of Peter Whittingham opening crevasses in the Portsmouth backline. Indeed, the only difference between the sides’ at the break came as a result of suspect goalkeeping.

Peter Enckelman had demonstrated nervousness early on in the game when his ham-fisted attempt at clearing a Sulley Muntari free-kick allowed Sylvain Distin to nod Nwankwo Kanu into a scoring position. On this occasion however, the Nigerian was denied.

Seven minutes before the half-time break, John Utaka isolated Cardiff left-back Tony Capaldi to fire a wicked cross into the six-yard box. The lumbering Enckelman’s attempt at a catch found only the knee of Kanu, who nudged Portsmouth into the lead from only a yard despite the attentions of Roger Johnson. Initial hesitation about the goal’s legitimacy was dispelled with the completion of Kanu’s considerable celebratory dance.

The lone Portsmouth striker cut an isolated figure much of the first half however, and his team mates, at times, failed to provide adequate support for Kanu’s reliable and accurate hold-up play.

Too often was the Nigerian without blue shirts around him but on the first occasion he was supported, he fashioned a terrific opportunity on 22 minutes.

Hermann Hreidarsson, deep in opposition territory for the first time in the match found Sulley Muntari. The Ghanaian’s clever pass behind Kevin McNaughton found Kanu who jinked his way past Glenn Loovens and Peter Enckelman before firing wide from an unlikely angle.

Pedro Mendes stung the palms of Enckelman on 34 minutes with a vicious 30 yard drive before Pompey pinched the ascendancy.

After going behind, Cardiff rallied and were unlucky to finish the half in arrears; Glenn Loovens was adjudged to have handled before hooking an effort into the Portsmouth goal after David James displayed questionable handling skills from a corner in first half injury time.

That was after Kevin McNaughton raced 60 yards to meet Paul Parry’s strong, low cross after the Cardiff striker again gave Sol Campbell the slip. The pass however, proved too wild to be tamed by the full-back’s attempted finish.

Lassana Diarra was dictating the tempo for the Premier League outfit throughout, his capable usage of the ball as well as his tidy footwork giving Harry’s side space and options in midfield.

Second Half:

Portsmouth drew on their resources of experience and ability to set the pace for a containing second-half display. Cardiff were effectively neutered during the opening exchanges of the period by a Portsmouth side so adept at keeping possession and making the ball do the work.

Lassana Diarra and Niko Kranjcar combined well wide left to create an opportunity for Kanu on 53 minutes, his shot was blocked by Glenn Loovens. After enduring a decidedly shaky opening 45 minutes, Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin eased into an assured partnership, enriched by years of Premier League experience.

Cardiff were reduced to an impatient and frustrating showing by the mid-point of the half; wrong options were been taken by hasty players eager to force an opening against a solid back four. Glenn Loovens did manage to put his head to a Joe Ledley corner with ten minutes remaining but only succeeding in bouncing the ball over the bar.

Just then , Portsmouth seemed to lapse into a psychological step-back, Campbell and Distin began to encroach into David James’ territory, allowing Cardiff to rove in front of them. Distin fashioned an unlikely opportunity of his own with five minutes to play however; he ran from inside his own half, accompanied step for step by Roger Johnson, but could find a finish when entering the Cardiff area.

A short time after, Aaron Ramsey, the youngest player ever to appear in an FA Cup final at the age of 17, had two efforts blocked by a stubborn Pompey rear-guard.

The inevitable golden chance for a side chasing the game fell on this occasion to Roger Johnson at the death; the central defender was denied by some terrific blocking from his Portsmouth namesake Glenn to safeguard his side’s lead.

For Cardiff, frustration as Pompey did enough to extend their impressive run of clean sheets in this competition. Success at last for Portsmouth and Harry Redknapp as European football comes to Fratton Park for the first time ever.

Line Ups:

Cardiff City (4-4-2): Enckelman McNaughton, Capaldi, Johnson, Loovens - Ledley, Rae (Sinclair 87’), McPhail, Whittingham (Ramsey 62’) - Parry, Hasselbaink (Thompson 70’). Subs not used: Oakes, Purse.

Portsmouth (4-3-3): James, Johnson, Hreidarsson, Campbell, Distin - Diarra, Muntari, Mendes (Bouba Diop 78’) - Utaka (Nugent 68’), Kranjcar, Kanu (Baros 87’). subs not used: Ashdown, Pamarot.

Cardiff: none

Portsmouth: Nwankwo Kanu, 38’

Cardiff: none

Portsmouth: Hermann Hreidarsson, 45’, Niko Kranjcar, 54’, Lassana Diarra, 90'

Referee:

Mike Dean

Attendance:

89,874

Peter Staunton, Goal.com