Kanu’s first-half goal won the FA Cup for Portsmouth against Cardiff City in a low-key final at Wembley.

The Nigerian scrambled home the winner at the near post eight minutes before half-time after Cardiff keeper Peter Enckelman fumbled John Utaka’s cross.

Cardiff enjoyed possession but rarely posed a serious threat, although Glenn Loovens had a goal ruled out for handball in first-half injury time.

And Portsmouth held on to claim the trophy for the first time since 1939.

It was a personal triumph for emotional Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp as he claimed his first major trophy in a management and coaching career stretching back 25 years.

He raced on to the pitch afterwards to celebrate as Portsmouth’s win earned them a place in next season’s Uefa Cup - their first European adventure.

The final was given a magnificent backdrop by both clubs’ noisy and colourful fans who clearly wanted to make the most of their moment in the limelight.
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A second-half goal from Kanu was enough to send Portsmouth through to their first FA Cup final in 69 years.

Ex-West Brom striker Kanu side-footed an easy chance to see off the Baggies after Dean Kiely had denied Milan Baros and Zoltan Gera had failed to clear.

Baros, who looked to have handled in the build-up to the goal, missed a simple chance to seal the win.

They were almost made to pay but Robert Koren’s shot hit the bar and Ishmael Miller fired wide late on.

Goals from Peter Whittingham and Roger Johnson helped Championship side Cardiff dump Middlesbrough out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Premier League strugglers Boro were poor throughout and went behind on nine minutes when Whittingham curled home.

And 13 minutes later Roger Johnson headed in Whittingham’s free-kick to leave Boro with a huge uphill task.

Afonso Alves and Stewart Downing both had half-chances for the home side, but they rarely threatened a comeback.

Harry Redknapp’s FA Cup curse struck Manchester United again as Portsmouth won a dramatic quarter-final clash.

Sulley Muntari scored the winner from the spot with 12 minutes left after Milan Baros was upended by United’s substitute keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Kuszczak, who replaced Edwin van der Sar at half-time, was sent off and Rio Ferdinand took over in goal.

United went close to scoring, Sylvain Distin denying Michael Carrick on the line and Patrice Evra hitting a post.

Kayode Odejayi’s second-half header dumped holders Chelsea out of the FA Cup and gave Championship side Barnsley a shock place in the semi-finals.

The striker netted the winner from six yards out after connecting with Martin Devaney’s superb right-wing cross.

Odejayi also had a shot saved by Carlo Cudicini, while team-mate Istvan Ferenczi’s half-volley hit a post.

Chelsea’s best chance fell to Joe Cole early in the second half. He struck his angled shot wide from close range.