FA Cup: Portsmouth defeat West Brom, advance to final
{{date|April 5, 2008}}

{{footballbox|
date= March 5, 2008<br>12:15<br>(GMT)|
team1= {{w|West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion}}|
score= 0 – 1 |
team2= {{w|Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth}} |
report= [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_facts/0,19762,11065_2967314,00.html Match Report]|
goals1= Morrison {{suboff|60}}<br>Brunt {{subon|60}}<br>Bednar {{suboff|60}}<br>Miller {{subon|60}}<br>Gera {{suboff|75}}<br>Kim {{subon|75}}|
goals2= {{goal|54|1}} Kanu<br>{{suboff|71}} Baros<br>{{subon|71}} Nugent<br>{{suboff|80}} Kanu<br>{{subon|80}} Davis|
stadium= {{w|Wembley Stadium|Wembley}}, [[London]] |
attendance= 83,584 |
referee= {{w|Howard Webb}}}}

{{w|West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion}} took on the only {{w|Premier League}} team remaining in the {{w|FA Cup}} on Saturday, with {{w|Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth}} coming out on top. Pompey had defeated [[Manchester United]] 1-0 in the quarter-finals to advance to this stage, while West Brom crushed {{w|Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers}} 5-1 to advance to this stage. 

West Brom started the game strongly, with their first chance coming when {{w|Zoltán Gera|Zolton Gera}} shot the ball right and {{w|David James (footballer, born 1970)|David James}} who couldn't hold on, and the ball had to be hacked clear by {{w|Sol Campbell}}. The Baggies dominated the midfield for much of the first half and Portsmouth had to play off the counter-attack, but couldn't produce any good chances. Portsmouth began to gain steam nearing halftime, but neither team would score in the first period.

After the break it was Portsmouth who took the lead through {{w|Nwankwo Kanu|Kanu}}. A miscommunication between defender and goalkeeper occurred after Kiely made a fine save off {{w|Milan Baroš|Milan Baros}}. The ball ended up at Kanu's feet around five yards away from the goal, and the Nigerian side footed the ball calmly into the corner. After their goal Portsmouth began to control the match, but West Brom still get their chances as {{w|Robert Koren}} smashes a shot off the crossbar. West Brom pushed for the equalizer near the end of the match, but the Portsmouth defense stood firm and will now await the winner of {{w|Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley}} v {{w|Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff}} to see who they will take on at {{w|Wembley Stadium|Wembley}} in the final.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_2967314,00.html
|title=Kanu fires Pompey into final
|author=Graeme Bailey
|pub=SkySports
|date=April 5, 2008}}
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West Bromwich Albion took on the only FA Cup on Saturday, with Portsmouth coming out on top. Pompey had defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the quarter-finals to advance to this stage, while West Brom crushed Bristol Rovers 5-1 to advance to this stage. 

West Brom started the game strongly, with their first chance coming when Zolton Gera shot the ball right and David James who couldn't hold on, and the ball had to be hacked clear by . The Baggies dominated the midfield for much of the first half and Portsmouth had to play off the counter-attack, but couldn't produce any good chances. Portsmouth began to gain steam nearing halftime, but neither team would score in the first period.

After the break it was Portsmouth who took the lead through Kanu. A miscommunication between defender and goalkeeper occurred after Kiely made a fine save off Milan Baros. The ball ended up at Kanu's feet around five yards away from the goal, and the Nigerian side footed the ball calmly into the corner. After their goal Portsmouth began to control the match, but West Brom still get their chances as Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley v Cardiff to see who they will take on at Wembley in the final.
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