World Soccer

Carl de Souza (AFP)

Nwankwo Kanu’s goal was good enough to give Portsmouth a 1-0 win in the FA Cup final against Cardiff City at Wembley here on Saturday.

The Nigerian’s goal meant the south coast club won the FA Cup for only the second time in their history following their last appearance in a major Wembley final back in 1939.

It also gave Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp his first piece of significant silverware as either player or manager.

Portsmouth, who finished eighth in the Premier League, would be playing European football for the first time in their history next season.

Portsmouth’s win saw Redknapp become the first English manager to win the FA Cup since Everton’s Joe Royle in 1995 - the last time the competition was won by a team outside the ‘big four’ of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

“It’s fantastic for everybody, the team, the fans and especially my family,” said Redknapp. “It’s a dream come true. We are a very close family and this is a fantastic present to give them.”

The decisive moment of the match came in the 37th minute.

France international midfielder Lassana Diarra, who repeatedly proved adept at bringing the ball out of defence, released John Utaka down the right.

Kanu’s fellow Nigeria forward teased Cardiff full-back Tony Capaldi before crossing. Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman let the ball slip from his grasp when he should have clung on and Kanu scored from barely a yard out.

It was Kanu’s first goal since he scored the winner in the 1-0 semi-final win over West Brom, one of his former clubs, and Pompey’s first in four matches after a disappointing end to their league season.

Portsmouth 1 Cardiff City 0

At Wembley, London Scorer: Nwankwo Kanu 37 Halftime: 1-0 Attendance: 89,874 Referee: Mike Dean

Portsmouth: 1-David James; 5-Glen Johnson, 15-Sylvain Distin, 23-Sol Campbell, 7-Hermann Hreidarsson; 6-Lassana Diarra, 30-Pedro Mendes (8-Papa Bouba Diop 78), 19-Niko Kranjcar, 11-Sulley Muntari; 17-John Utaka (10-David Nugent 69), 27-Nwankwo Kanu (9-Milan Baros 86).

Cardiff City: 1-Peter Enckelman; 2-Kevin McNaughton, 6-Glenn Loovens, 12-Roger Johnson, 3-Tony Capaldi; 7-Peter Whittingham (30-Aaron Ramsey 62), 10-Stephen McPhail, 16-Joe Ledley, 4-Gavin Rae (18-Trevor Sinclair 86); 11-Paul Parry, 36-Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (20-Steve Thompson 70).

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