Piquionne fires crisis-hit Pompey into FA Cup semi-finals

Julian Guyer

Frederic Piquionne scored twice as crisis club Portsmouth reached the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win at home to fellow Premier League side Birmingham City on Saturday.

But London rivals Fulham and Tottenham - managed by Harry Redknapp, who masterminded Portsmouth's FA Cup triumph in 2008 - will have to replay after a goalless draw at Craven Cottage.

French forward Piquionne scored twice in three second-half minutes for Portsmouth, forcing the ball home from close range and then, in the 70th minute, after being played in by Jamie O'Hara, beating Joe Hart when one-on-one with the goalkeeper to the delight of the Fratton Park faithful.

"You can break many things but you cannot break our spirit," said Portsmouth manager Avram Grant.

"The spirit of the players and fans was high. Other people maybe thought we would break but nobody can break our spirit.

Portsmouth, bottom of English football's top flight and facing the prospect of all but certain relegation, are currently in administration and their estimated debts of 76 million pounds (115 million dollars) could yet see the club go out of business.

"There are some moments in your life you always remember and this is one of them," said Grant.

"This club deserves more than anyone to be at Wembley because the players and fans are victims of things done by others. I will say it again and again until someone listens."

Birmingham, on a day when world football governing body FIFA again ruled out goal-line technology, thought they'd scored through Liam Ridgewell's close-range header with 10 minutes left.

Replays showed the ball had crossed the line but the officials did not let the 'goal' stand and Portsmouth were on their way to Wembley for the semi-finals.

Asked if City had scored, Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James replied: "Not as far as I am aware.

"Maybe we can debate that on the way home but we won 2-0 as far as the score goes and I think we deserved it," he added.

However, City manager Alex McLeish said: "I just don't know how it could have been disallowed. It was not as though it was a close call. The whole of the ball was over the line.

"For an hour I thought we were the better side, our build-up was composed and we looked in control," he added. "But we did not make enough chances up front and when we did, we did not take them."

Sunday's last eight ties see Premier League title-chasers Chelsea up against Stoke whilst second-tier Reading, the lowest ranked club left in the FA Cup, are at home to League Cup finalists Aston Villa.

LONDON, Sunday AFP