London - Nwankwo Kanu was the hero as Portsmouth edged out Championship side Cardiff City 1-0 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday to win the FA Cup for the second time in their history. The Nigerian scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game nine minutes before half-time, sending the ball over the line after Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman had spilled a cross by John Utara.
The win gave Portsmouth their second FA Cup win, after their 1939 triumph, while manager Harry Redknapp lifted the trophy for the first time in his illustrious career.
"It is fantastic," Redknapp said. "For everybody, especially my family. The fans, the players. It's been a difficult year off the field so this is a dream come true.
"We are a very close family - it's for all my grandchildren and everybody. The players are all great, I love them all."
Cardiff had chances to score both before and after Portsmouth's goal but Kanu also hit the post before finding the net.
The Championship did put the ball in the Portsmouth net in the first half but the goal was ruled out because Glenn Loovens had handled the ball in the process.
Cardiff had left out former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, who had been battling to be fit after a hip injury, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Paul Parry, a 17-year-old, could not find a way through the Portsmouth defence.
Loovens headed over the bar late on as Cardiff chased the equalizer, but Portsmouth held on to send their fans wild and claim a place in the UEFA Cup next season.
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James said he was "happy as Larry" after the victory.
"Along the way, we have beaten Manchester United, the best team in England, so we have earned our right to be here," he said.
"To be fair I didn't have much to do all day. I thought we were the better team and we deserved to win."
