Kanu captures cup for Portsmouth (SN)

Nwankwo Kanu's first-half goal proved enough for Portsmouth FC to defeat Cardiff City FC at Wembley and win the FA Cup for the first time in 69 years.

The Nigerian striker, twice a winner of this competition with Arsenal FC, came close midway through the first half after being played in by John Utaka, skipping round a defender and Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman only to slide his shot against the outside of the right-hand post from an acute angle. The two Portsmouth players combined to more potent effect eight minutes before half-time however, Utaka delivering a right-wing cross which Enckelman could only palm away for Kanu to score from close range.

Second-tier side Cardiff, who won the trophy in 1927, fought hard to find a way back into the match with Roger Johnson heading into the side-netting early in the second period. Portsmouth, whose triumph is their second in the competition, continued to look more dangerous on the counterattack, though, with Kanu and Sulley Muntari going close to extending their lead, but in the end one goal proved enough to secure the trophy and a place in next season's UEFA Cup first round.