Contrasting fortunes: Alex McLeish saw his side
concede defeat, while Avram Grant takes Portsmouth to a Wembley
semi-final
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 at
Fratton Park.
Pompey, saddled with debt and being pursued by Her Majesty's
Revenue and Customs, 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.
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.
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 number one.
Make mine a double: Frederic Piquionne fires Pompey to
Wembley
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 groin
problems during the week.
John Utaka, one of three survivors in the starting XI from
Pompey's winning team in 2008, took just eight seconds to drill a
shot at Hart - but it was not a sign of things to come.
James, Utaka and Hermann Hreidarsson offered a reminder of
Wembley two seasons ago when Pompey defeated Cardiff, with the
likes of Lassana Diarra, Glen Johnson and Sulley Muntari then sold
at a profit but the club still plunging into financial crisis.
Adrift at the foot of the Barclays Premier League and with the
threat of a nine-point deduction hanging over them for entering
administration. the commitment of Avram Grant's men could not be
questioned. Jamie O'Hara had been struggling with a back problem
but insisted on playing.
In James, Grant has a goalkeeper desperate to get back ahead of
Robert Green in the England pecking order and he tidily dealt with
Birmingham's only chance of the first half. Lee Bowyer unselfishly
set up Cameron Jerome and James denied the striker with a save at
the near post.
Aside from Jerome's chance, the tie became a midfield battle
with Michael Brown and Bowyer leading each side. One tackle from
Brown, on his central-midfield opponent, earned a yellow card.
It meant flowing football did not figure prominently. When Nadir
Belhadj did spot the chance of a counter-attack and tried to switch
play, his ball to Danny Webber was accidentally blocked by referee
Steve Bennett.
Utaka had sight of goal just before the break when O'Hara sent
him down the left but he flashed over the crossbar after cutting
inside and forcing Stephen Carr to backtrack.
There was more of the same after the restart, with neither side
threatening with intent and both defences on top.
The visitors had Roger Johnson in their defence and he was
looking for revenge after being in the Cardiff side that lost to
Pompey nearly two years ago.
He and Scott Dann at the centre of Birmingham's defence meant it
needed something special for the hosts to make an impression - and
Piquionne provided it.
The French striker made no mistake from close range for the
opener. Steve Finnan put the ball back in the danger area after a
corner and found Utaka, Hart looked to have the situation under
control but Dann crashed into him and the ball fell for Piquionne
to tap in.
Piquionne's second came three minutes later. O'Hara played him
through and the striker twisted and turned around Johnson before
planting his finish past Hart for his fourth goal in three
games.
There was time for James to pull off a stunning double save,
although Ridgewell's header from close range looked over the line
on replays.
