While many Milan fans, staff, players and future players (Mr Flamini) were no doubt shedding a tear or two I along with thousnads of other Pompey fans were celebrating, for Milan’s failure could be Pompey’s fortune!

I don’t think we’ll win the Uefa Cup next season. I don’t think we have enough creative zest needed to unlock the best defences. And when you consider that Niko could be leaving, our creative talents are looking weary. Sure we’ve got a solid team that can keep a clean sheet but to actually win the competition you need that little bit extra, and we don’t have it.

So I’m pretty resigned to the fact that we won’t win it.

BUT we have got a big result in us, i.e beating Milan etc.

It would be a fantastic lift for the club and would certainly create excitement for the fans.

The Clubs second ever FA cup win has granted Pompey it’s first ever opportunity to shine in Europe in what surely must be the clubs greatest seaon in recent history.

They say a picture says a thousand words so:

Despite the fact that at times we looked awful; despite the fact that Jamo made some rediculous errors; despite the fact that Sol n Sylv looked like they’d never played together and despite the fact Benjani scored against us I would still happily watch that game again!

The first goal of the game came on 11 minutes from a David James mistake. With former England team-mate Darius Vassel capitalising on the mistake. He’s been fantastic ALL season and he visits his old stomping ground for 90 minutes and he turns back into the ‘calamity James’ we all know and hate! After a simple through ball that Sol seemed to have under control, James raced out of his penalty area like a madman.

And it got worse. Not only did he have the stupidity to come out when he shouldn’t have, he also had the audacity to try to play it around Benjani rather than just hoofing it up the field. But I’m not going to moan too much as he’s been fantastic the rest of the season, but please don’t get into your old habits Jamo!

City made it two-nil not long after when Petrov scored a deflected goal from close range.

We pulled one back around 10 minutes later when John Utaka flicked a header home from close range.

Just before the break Hermann Hreidarsson was sent off for a professional foul on Vassell. Can’t complain it was a red card offence!

On to the next issue. Sol n Sylv looked appaling today. They were aguing throughout the match about whose job it was to pick up Benjani and midfield runners etc. without ever actually coming to any sort of conclusion. The result- No-one picked anyone up the whole game!

They are usually so solid but today they were made to look like fools by former Blue Benjani. But again, they’ve been solid all season so I’ll let them off the hook.

Benjani showed just why we loved him so much at Fratton Park. He works like a mule on steroids and is always looking to run in behind yet also come short on occassions. He bullys defenders with his strength and his off the ball movement was fantastic.

He also showed his improvement this season as a finisher when he beat Sol Campbell and beat James at his near post with a good strike. This made it 3-1 to the hosts, and with Pompey down to 10 men, wrapped up the game.

Oh and I still love Benji for the way he refused to celebrate his goal out of respect. A class act.

One thing we learned today is that JD (Defoe) cannot play up front alone. It isn’t an option. He couldn’t make the runs he likes to and never looked a threat. As the game went on he looked increasingly frustrated at how little he was involved.

So in conclusion. I’m not too bothered. Of course a defeat always hurts, but when you consider it was such an entertaining game and we have the cup final to look forward to in a few weeks, the wounds really aren’t that deep.

PLAY——UP——–POMPEY

I’ve only just come to terms with that!

Every single player in that Portsmouth squad deserves it. Whenever they’ve been called upon they’ve worked as hard as they could.

Yesterday was our day. West Brom dominated in terms of possession but just couldn’t break past Sol ‘n’ Sylv, who were outstanding AGAIN!

We were making the clear cut chances, most of which were falling to Baros who evidently is a good worker but a shade of his past ‘glory’!

KANUUUUUUUUUUU grabbed the only goal of the game with a real poachers effort in front of goal after a slight mix-up on the line between Kiely and Gera resulted in the ball falling right in front of Kanu’s size 14 boot.

We’ve been to Old Trafford; we’ve battled against the Tractor Boys; We’ve seen off the best the Championship has to offer and now we’re at the final hurdle.

Whether it’s Barnsley or Cardiff; this is our year!

P L A Y U P P O M P E Y!!!!!!!!

P O M P E Y P L A Y U P!!!!!!!!

Update——

Last night:

Cardiff 0-0 West Brom

A match concerning our opponents on Saturday and potential final opponents.

I watched the match and to be honest didn’t see too much in terms of a threat.

I picked out Ishmael Miller as one of West Brom’s main threats. He looked very lively and he’s a very athletic young player; Speed and Strength in abundance.

I think he could cause us some problems if we’re not careful.

Of course Kevin Phillips will be a threat; his experience and clinical finishing will certainly be a danger.

But With Sol and Sylv at the back, they can dominate any striker(s) on their day.

His first was from the penalty spot after David Murphy handled a cross from Baros. His second was a perfect example of his poachers nature in front of goal.

It looked like Pompey were cruising. But just a minute after Defoe’s second goal Fabrice Muamba scored to make it 2-1. 3 goals in 10 minutes? Not a bad opening ten!

Birmingham drew level just before half time from a brilliant curling free-kick from Seb Larsson.

It looked like Pompey had blown it, but they come out quickly from the blocks after half time.

Hreidarsson bundled bundled the ball in from close range just 4 minutes after the re-start. However it was then Birminghams turn for a spell of dominance.

Yet as Birmingham surged forward in the closing minutes in search of an equaliser, Pompey took advantage of this and launched a fast counter attack which ended in a Pedro Mendes cross being headed home by substitute Kanu.

A good game (as I predicted!) with Defoe looking very lively, scoring two goals (as I predicted!!). The visitors fully deserved their two goals (as I predicted!!!) and they could have snatched a draw on several occassions.

I have to say; this prediction nonsense is easy! I was close enough with the 4-2 scoreline (having predicted 3-2).

I’m left wondering whether it is worth spending my life savings on a bet for Pompey’s next game…

A fantastic defensive display laid the foundations for one of the proudest days in the clubs recent history.

The game was in truth dominated by Manchester United however they couldn’t get a goal. If they managed to get past our battling midfield then they had to come up against our solid defence, organised brilliantly by Sol and Sylv. If they did manage to get past that they they had to beat the brilliant David James. And on the few occassions when they did all three; They had efforts cleared off the line by first Glen Johnson and second Sylvan Distin.

Rio Ferdinand ended up in goal after first choice keeper Van Der Sar was injured and Tomas Kuscak was sent off after a foul on the hard-working Milan Baros. The penalty was thrashed home by Mr Tenacious himself: Sulley Ali Muntari.

All the lads were absolutely amazing, they all ran their hearts out and have a special place in the hearts and minds of all Pompey fans.

I’d like to single out Johnson, Diarra, Campbell and JAmes especially though, I thought they were on another level entirely.

Anyway… lets move on to the future.

Pompey are in the semi-finals of the FACup. We’re goin to Wembley.

Sounds good huh?

But wait there’s more!

The three other remaining teams aren’t in the same league… literally!

The other teams are Barnsley, West Brom and Cardiff. These are all Championship sides.

I predicted this situation may occur. And I was right!

This is brilliant! We actually have an amazing chance to be crowned FACup champions! An automatic spot in Europe, this would almost certainly make up for our slightly average league form.

However if we don’t win it this year then it will feel slightly dissapointing. We have such an amazing chance then it would kill me if we threw it away.

COME ON POMPEY LET’S FINISH THE JOB!!!……. PLAY UP POMPEY…. POMPEY PLAY UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Niko Kranjcar was fouled in the 69th minute by a clumsey Phillip Bardsley challenge, and referee Phil Dowed awarded a penalty.

Jermain Defoe stepped up with confidence and slotted the ball to the left of the goal.

Pompey had several chances to take the lead in the first half however failed to capitalise on them. We nearly paid the price on 33 minutes when it looked for a second like Sol Campbell may have inadvertedly handled the ball in his own area.

Defoe had a few other chances after taking his goal yet he uncharicteristically missed them all.

All in all, it wasn’t our greatest performance however, we could have easily lost or at least drawn this game. So at the end of the day, it is a welcome 3 points and it’s nice to see that Defoe has already found his form after joining from Spurs.

B-man’s man of the match: Glenn Johnson. He looked lively and joined in frequently with attacks aswell as looking solid in defence.