Portsmouth's success is all credit to fans, says coach Grant

Updated on: 12 April,2010 07:32 AM IST |
AFP |

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant said the team's shock 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Tottenham was a just reward for the crisis at the club.

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant said the team's shock 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Tottenham was a just reward for the crisis at the club.

Victory in extra-time, with goals from Frederic Piquionne and Kevin Prince-Boateng, sent Pompey into the FA Cupu00a0 final just a day after they were relegated from the Premier League. But despite debts of more than 76 million pounds and several first team players only returning from injury this week, Portsmouth more than matched Tottenham. The win sent the Pompeys into their second FA Cup final in three years, having lifted the trophy when Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was their manager in 2008.

"This is more than football this season," Grant said. "These fans, I will not forget it all my life. This achievement belongs to the fans and the players. The players did not give up and these fans show how fans need to be."

Portsmouth had their EPL fate all but sealed last month when they were docked nine points after a season of boardroom chaos that has seen several owners come and go. Now many players could miss the May 15 final against Chelsea due to financial clauses in their contracts which, if activated, Portsmouth could no longer afford.