Piquionne's goals lifted the mood after another difficult week for Portsmouth
By Harry Reekie
Frederic Piquionne scored twice as Portsmouth put their off-field problems to one side by beating Birmingham and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.
The hosts, who entered administration last week, finally went ahead when Piquionne bundled home after the break.
The on-loan striker then raced on to a neat Jamie O'Hara pass and turned Roger Johnson before slotting home in style.
Birmingham were unlucky when a header from Liam Ridgewell was disallowed late on despite the ball crossing the line.
Portsmouth beat Manchester United at this stage of their run to Cup glory back in 2008 but victory at Wembley this season would surely represent a greater achievement under such dire financial circumstances.
Ironically, the bonuses paid to players following the win two years ago contributed to the precarious position the club now finds itself in.
This victory guarantees £360,000 in prize money, plus another £250,000 in broadcast rights, but Pompey fans will be more satisfied with a display full of passion and pride.
Birmingham, meanwhile, miss the chance to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1975 but with European qualification still a possibility in the league, manager Alex McLeish will at least have something to focus his players on.
After their second successive win, the Portsmouth playing staff are clearly not struggling to concentrate on the job at hand.
Birmingham started positively and Pompey goalkeeper David James needed to be at his sharpest in the early stages.
The England World Cup hopeful produced a brilliant low save to deny Cameron Jerome in what was the only clear chance of the first half.
Win is more than big - Grant
Portsmouth badly lacked a cutting edge early on but there was no lack of purpose in their passing and approach.
Piquionne looked lively up front, testing Joe Hart with a couple of low drives, while O'Hara again pulled the strings in an industrious midfield.
But shots on goal were few and far between.
John Utaka burst through with the interval approaching but sent a dreadful effort way off target. It was an attempt that summed up a forgettable half of football.
Hart and James were no doubt hoping to outdo each other in the race to be named as England's number one keeper for the World Cup, but a lack of chances certainly reduced their opportunities to impress.
Thankfully, the second half improved for all concerned. Hart had to be quick off his line to deny Utaka immediately after the break while James was happy to see Lee Bowyer slice a volley high and wide.
Birmingham had Barry Ferguson to thank for clearing the ball off Utaka's head after a knock-back by the impressive Piquionne, before Seb Larsson forced James into a tip-over at the other end.
But Pompey finally broke through in a game that desperately needed a goal.
A goalmouth scramble ended with Danny Webber putting pressure on Hart and the loose ball bounced perfectly off the goalkeeper's right foot for Piquionne to bundle into the net.
McLeish calls for goal-line technology
Birmingham looked bewildered and a lack of concentration resulted in them quickly slipping further behind amid wild celebrations on the south coast.
Another clever ball from O'Hara set Piquionne racing through, and the striker turned Johnson inside out before slotting under Hart to the delight of the home supporters.
The visitors really should have set up a tense finale when a close-range header from Ridgewell trickled fractionally over the line before being scrambled clear by James.
But the officials decided the whole ball had not crossed the line and Portsmouth held on in the closing minutes to secure another trip to Wembley in a truly memorable season.
Birmingham will not have to long to wait for a chance of revenge though - the teams meet again at Fratton Park in the Premier League on Tuesday.
90:00+4:03 The referee brings the game to a close.
Full Time
90:00+3:36 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
90:00+3:22 Cross by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham), resulting in ball out of play.
90:00+2:59 Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Craig Gardner (Birmingham).
90:00+2:21 Defending throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
90:00+2:00 Defending throw-in by Barry Ferguson (Birmingham).
90:00+1:51 Cross by Papa Bouba Diop (Portsmouth), resulting in ball out of play.
90:00+1:20 Foul by Roger Johnson (Birmingham) on David James (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth) from
own half, resulting in open play.
90:00+0:53 Cross by Craig Gardner (Birmingham), comfortable save (caught) by David James (Portsmouth).
90:00+0:43 Attacking throw-in by Craig Gardner (Birmingham).
90:00+0:19 Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham).
88:46 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Craig Gardner (Birmingham) to centre, fantastic save (caught) by
David James (Portsmouth).
87:53 Foul by Roger Johnson (Birmingham) on Hermann Hreidarsson (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth)
from own half, resulting in open play.
86:15 Foul by Craig Gardner (Birmingham) on John Utaka (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth) from
own half, resulting in open play.
84:51 Goal kick taken long by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
84:27 Substitution Portsmouth substitution: Danny Webber replaced by Papa Bouba Diop (tactical).
84:13 Shot by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left.
83:28 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
83:17 Substitution Birmingham substitution: Sebastian Larsson replaced by Craig Gardner (tactical).
82:55 Shot by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) volleyed left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
82:50 Attacking throw-in by Lee Bowyer (Birmingham).
82:14 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) to near post, clearance by Frederic
Piquionne (Portsmouth).
81:52 Goal kick taken short by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
81:36 Shot by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed right.
80:55 Shot by Kevin Phillips (Birmingham) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), comfortable save (caught) by David
James (Portsmouth).
80:24 Attacking throw-in by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham).
79:21 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) to centre, header by Roger Johnson
(Birmingham) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by David James (Portsmouth).
78:05 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
76:59 Foul by Marc Wilson (Portsmouth) on Lee Bowyer (Birmingham). Free kick taken right-footed by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham)
from right channel (25 yards), over the bar.
76:15 Shot by Kevin Phillips (Birmingham) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), comfortable save (caught) by David James (Portsmouth).
75:37 Foul by Kevin Phillips (Birmingham) on Hermann Hreidarsson (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth)
from own half, resulting in open play.
74:49 Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham).
74:49 Substitution Birmingham substitution: James McFadden replaced by Christian Benitez (tactical).
74:00 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) to centre, comfortable save (caught)
by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
73:44 Shot by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Roger Johnson (Birmingham).
73:06 Foul by Kevin Phillips (Birmingham) on Tal Ben-Haim (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth)
from own half, resulting in open play.
72:45 Foul by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth) on Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham). Free kick taken right-footed by Joe Hart (Birmingham) from
own half, resulting in open play.
72:08 Foul by Stephen Carr (Birmingham) on John Utaka (Portsmouth). Free kick crossed left-footed by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) from
left wing, resulting in open play.
71:40 Attacking throw-in by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth).
71:17 Substitution Birmingham substitution: Keith Fahey replaced by Kevin Phillips (tactical).
71:01 Booking Danny Webber (Portsmouth) booked for unsporting behaviour.
69:22 Assist (pass) by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) from right channel.
69:22 GOAL - Frederic Piquionne:Portsmouth 2 - 0 Birmingham Goal by Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) right-footed (low centre of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Portsmouth
2-0 Birmingham.
67:53 Goal kick taken long by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
67:44 Header by Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
67:27 Attacking throw-in by John Utaka (Portsmouth).
66:13 GOAL - Frederic Piquionne:Portsmouth 1 - 0 Birmingham Goal by Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards).Portsmouth
1-0 Birmingham.
65:35 Shot by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) curled left-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (tipped round post) by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) to centre, clearance by Roger Johnson
(Birmingham).
64:46 Defending throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
63:10 Shot by Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Joe
Hart (Birmingham).
62:20 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) to centre, clearance by Lee Bowyer (Birmingham).
62:20 Booking Barry Ferguson (Birmingham) booked for dissent.
61:58 Shot by Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Roger Johnson (Birmingham).
61:15 Goal kick taken long by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
60:55 Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham).
60:15 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
59:54 Shot by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) drilled right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
59:08 Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Roger Johnson (Birmingham) from own half,
passed.
58:34 Foul by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) on James McFadden (Birmingham). Free kick taken right-footed by Barry Ferguson (Birmingham)
from right channel, passed.
57:01 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) to near post, clearance by Lee Bowyer
(Birmingham).
56:26 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Carr (Birmingham).
56:13 Defending throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
54:43 Foul by Lee Bowyer (Birmingham) on Danny Webber (Portsmouth). Free kick crossed left-footed by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) from
right channel, save (caught) by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
54:32 Cross by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), clearance by Lee Bowyer (Birmingham).
54:08 Attacking throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
54:02 Cross by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), clearance by Roger Johnson (Birmingham).
53:42 Defending throw-in by John Utaka (Portsmouth).
53:33 Defending throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
53:16 Attacking throw-in by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham).
52:38 Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Joe Hart (Birmingham) from own half, passed.
52:19 Attacking throw-in by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham).
51:20 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
50:36 Attacking throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
49:38 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) to near post, clearance by Liam Ridgewell
(Birmingham). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) to near post, clearance
by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham).
49:08 Attacking throw-in by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth).
48:39 Goal kick taken long by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
48:33 Cross by Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth), resulting in ball out of play.
47:46 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
46:56 Foul by Tal Ben-Haim (Portsmouth) on Cameron Jerome (Birmingham). Free kick taken left-footed by James McFadden (Birmingham)
from left channel, shot by Lee Bowyer (Birmingham) volleyed left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
46:46 Foul by Danny Webber (Portsmouth) on Joe Hart (Birmingham). Free kick taken right-footed by Joe Hart (Birmingham) from own
half, resulting in open play.
45:17 Foul by Cameron Jerome (Birmingham) on Steve Finnan (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth)
from own half, resulting in open play.
45:01 The second half kicks off.
45:00+1:19 The referee calls an end to the first half.
Half Time
45:00+0:24 Weak shot by John Utaka (Portsmouth) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long
by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
42:45 Foul by James McFadden (Birmingham) on Michael Brown (Portsmouth). Free kick crossed left-footed by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth)
from left channel, resulting in open play.
42:34 Attacking throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
41:34 Foul by Lee Bowyer (Birmingham) on Marc Wilson (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth) from
own half, resulting in open play.
40:48 Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by James McFadden (Birmingham) to far post, resulting in open play.
39:54 Cross by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), clearance by Roger Johnson (Birmingham).
39:29 Foul by Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) on Scott Dann (Birmingham). Free kick taken right-footed by Lee Bowyer (Birmingham)
from own half, resulting in open play.
39:02 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
37:35 Defending throw-in by Stephen Carr (Birmingham).
37:16 Attacking throw-in by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth).
36:51 Attacking throw-in by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth).
35:47 Defending throw-in by Stephen Carr (Birmingham).
35:28 Attacking throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
35:09 Attacking throw-in by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth).
34:01 James McFadden (Birmingham) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth) from own half, resulting
in open play.
32:54 Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) to centre, header by Hermann Hreidarsson
(Portsmouth) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
31:25 Goal kick taken long by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
31:19 Cross by Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), resulting in ball out of play.
30:30 Attacking throw-in by Barry Ferguson (Birmingham).
29:46 Shot by James McFadden (Birmingham) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Steve Finnan
(Portsmouth). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) to near post, clearance
by Hermann Hreidarsson (Portsmouth).
29:20 Attacking throw-in by Cameron Jerome (Birmingham).
26:34 Attacking throw-in by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth).
26:19 Attacking throw-in by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth).
25:48 Defending throw-in by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth).
24:55 Attacking throw-in by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth).
24:18 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
23:54 Defending throw-in by Stephen Carr (Birmingham).
23:01 Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham).
22:34 Defending throw-in by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth).
19:11 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
19:06 Cross by Keith Fahey (Birmingham), resulting in ball out of play.
18:38 Attacking throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham).
17:47 Free kick taken right-footed by Joe Hart (Birmingham) from own half, resulting in open play.
17:47 Booking Michael Brown (Portsmouth) booked for unsporting behaviour.
17:36 Foul by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) on Lee Bowyer (Birmingham).
16:42 Foul by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) on James McFadden (Birmingham). Free kick taken right-footed by Stephen Carr (Birmingham)
from right channel, resulting in open play.
16:13 Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
15:24 Shot by Cameron Jerome (Birmingham) drilled left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by David James
(Portsmouth). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) to far post, resulting
in ball out of play.
14:36 Handball by Cameron Jerome (Birmingham). Free kick taken left-footed by Hermann Hreidarsson (Portsmouth) from own half, passed.
13:52 Foul by James McFadden (Birmingham) on Tal Ben-Haim (Portsmouth). Free kick taken right-footed by Tal Ben-Haim (Portsmouth)
from own half, passed.
13:25 Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham).
12:16 Cameron Jerome (Birmingham) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth) from own half, resulting
in open play.
11:57 Defending throw-in by Stephen Carr (Birmingham).
11:05 James McFadden (Birmingham) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by David James (Portsmouth) from own half, resulting
in open play.
10:33 Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Joe Hart (Birmingham) from own half, resulting
in open play.
9:49 Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Michael Brown (Portsmouth).
8:40 Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham).
8:30 Attacking throw-in by Michael Brown (Portsmouth).
6:22 Foul by Hermann Hreidarsson (Portsmouth) on James McFadden (Birmingham). Free kick crossed right-footed by Sebastian Larsson
(Birmingham) from right wing, clearance by Marc Wilson (Portsmouth). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed
by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) to centre, clearance by Marc Wilson (Portsmouth).
6:13 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Carr (Birmingham).
5:56 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Carr (Birmingham).
5:26 Defending throw-in by Hermann Hreidarsson (Portsmouth).
3:29 Foul by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) on Lee Bowyer (Birmingham). Free kick crossed right-footed by Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham)
from left channel, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by David James (Portsmouth).
3:12 Defending throw-in by Liam Ridgewell (Birmingham).
2:53 Defending throw-in by Steve Finnan (Portsmouth).
1:23 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Michael Brown (Portsmouth) to near post, clearance by James McFadden
(Birmingham).
0:56 Foul by Jamie O'Hara (Portsmouth) on Lee Bowyer (Birmingham). Free kick taken right-footed by Scott Dann (Birmingham) from
own half, passed.
0:10 Shot by John Utaka (Portsmouth) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Joe Hart (Birmingham).
0:00 The referee gets the game underway.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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