Portsmouth 2 - 0 Birmingham City: Pride pulls Pompey through

Published on Saturday 6 March 2010 20:06

PORTSMOUTH'S season has seen four different owners and the threat of liquidation, but will also include a trip to Wembley after Frederic Piquionne earned them victory over Birmingham City at Fratton Park.

Saddled with debt and being pursued by the taxman, Portsmouth will earn more than 600,000 in prize money and broadcasting fees for reaching the FA Cup semi-final, but money was hardly on their minds as they celebrated victory against Alex McLeish's men.

Following his lap of honour after the final whistle, Portsmouth manager Avram Grant said: "Football is more than football. All these people are so happy. You can break many things, but you cannot break our spirit. The spirit of the players and fans was high. Other people maybe thought we would break, but nobody can break our spirit."

Grant insisted taking the Barclays League's bottom club to Wembley was as satisfying as reaching the Champions League final with Chelsea.

Victory earns Pompey vital cash, but Grant added: "This is the last thing I care about now. We don't know what will happen in the next hour or day."

Piquionne's goals brightened up a quarter-final tie short on action until he struck in the 67th and 70th minutes, then Liam Ridgewell had an effort ruled out for the visitors despite the ball appearing to cross the line. Ironically it came just as the game's rule-makers were flatly rejecting the use of video and chip technology now and in the foreseeable future.

Before that, there was little to do for the two England goalkeepers on display, with David James looking to re-establish himself as Fabio Capello's first choice and Joe Hart tipped as a future No 1.

They were barely tested during a first 45 minutes short of entertainment and goalmouth action, despite Birmingham having James McFadden in their forward line after overcoming the groin problem that prevented him playing for Scotland in midweek.

With Roger Johnson and Scott Dann at the centre of Birmingham's defence, it needed something special for the hosts to make an impression. Piquionne provided it. Steve Finnan put the ball back in the box after a corner and found John Utaka. Hart looked to have the situation under control, but Dann crashed into him and the ball fell for Piquionne.

His second came three minutes later. Jamie O'Hara played him through and the striker twisted and turned around Johnson before firing past Hart.