After The Match 

            


PORTSMOUTH-LIVERPOOL 1-0 (0-0)  Sunday Feb 22.  FA Cup -5. r. replay
Goals: Hughes (71)
Team: Kirkland, Finnan, Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher, Hamann, Gerrard, Cheyrou, Le Tallec, Heskey, Owen
Subs: Baros (Heskey 45), Murphy (Le Tallec 59),
Pongolle (Cheyrou 82)
Not used: Dudek, Biscan
Yellow: Quashie (24), Hughes (53), Smertin (63), Yakubu (69)
Red: None
Referee: Matt Messias
Attendance: 19.529

                                                              FIXTURES & RESULTS
TEAM STATS
Shots on target: 3-2
Shots off target: 5-11
Fouls conceded: 11-7
Corners: 3-8
Yellow: 4-0
Red:

 

 

0-0

HEADLINES

"It's a blow,
we wanted to go
to Cardiff."

                 Gerard Houllier

2202: Houllier faces salvage act
2202: Redknapp hails 'great win'
2202: Pompey pile the pressure on Houllier
 

FEBRUARY 22
Houllier faces salvage act

BBC Sport Online

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier admitted FA Cup defeat at Portsmouth leaves him struggling to salvage his side's season.

The FA Cup would have been Liverpool's last hope of landing a domestic trophy and Houllier said: "It's a blow, we wanted to go to Cardiff."

Pompey won Sunday's fifth round replay at Fratton Park 1-0.

Houllier added: "Now we must focus on the Uefa Cup and trying to get fourth place in the Premiership."

Despite dominating the first game at Anfield and the replay at Fratton Park Liverpool crashed out to Richard Hughes' first goal for Portsmouth.

The result increases pressure on Houllier but the Liverpool boss shrugged it off, saying: "It's part of the territory."

Liverpool's fate hinged on a controversial 62nd minute penalty, with Pompey keeper Shaka Hislop saving Michael Owen's underhit spot-kick.

Houllier said: "Had he scored, it would have been a different story.

"It seemed to be a repetition of what happened at Anfield, where we created enough chances to score and win the game.

"Their first chance was on 72 minutes and they scored.

"But when you're in control of the game, you should be in control of the result, and sometimes you just cannot score."

"I can't blame the players in terms of energy and football. The football was good at times but we lacked a finish.

"I think the supporters who were at the game will have seen how unlucky we were."


FEBRUARY 22
Redknapp hails 'great win'

BBC Sport Online

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp was delighted at seeing his under-strength side battle past Liverpool.

Pompey were 1-0 winners over the Merseysiders to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

"It has been a great day," said Redknapp. "We've come here with the most patched-up group of players you've ever seen - and I'm not exaggerating.

"But we worked our socks off and it was a great, great performance and a great victory for Portsmouth."

A 72nd-minute goal from Richard Hughes was enough to send Pompey through.

But they had to survive some nervous moments before that, with referee Matt Messias twice awarding Liverpool a penalty.

With the game goalless Messias pointed to the spot, despite the ball clearly hitting Reds striker Milan Baros on the arm, rather than a Pompey defender.

The official changed his mind after being urged to consult his assistant by Portsmouth players.

Messias then adjudged Matthew Taylor fouled Baros and awarded a penalty that subsequently Michael Owen missed.

Redknapp described the decisions as "two of the worst penalty decisions I've ever seen".

And he added: "The first one he gave a penalty and it was only when my players forced him to go and talk to his linesman, who was stood facing the incident, he changes his mind.

When you're in control of the game you should be in control of the result

"It was so obvious that it was Milan Baros who handled the ball. How can he give a penalty? Unbelievable decision.

"The referee didn't have a good day unfortunately, but that's how it goes.

"The penalty decision he did give was a great tackle by Matty Taylor.

"I've watched it on TV 10 times and it was a perfectly-timed challenge, he took the ball clean as a whistle and the referee gives a penalty.

"But we overcame that and we battled on and got a great victory."

Portsmouth's reward is a home tie with Arsenal, who are unbeaten in the Premiership this season and looking for a third straight FA Cup win.

Redknapp added: "They're a fantastic side, they are so good it is frightening but that's not the point. We're there and we've got a game to look forward to.

"I'm just so proud of the boys the way they have given their all under great adversity it just fantastic.

"Someone's going to beat Arsenal one day but I'm not sure who it's going to be. They look unbeatable at the minute, but we'll worry about that when it comes around."


FEBRUARY 22
Pompey pile the pressure on Houllier

Sky Sports

Portsmouth increased the pressure on Gerard Houllier as Liverpool were dumped out of the FA Cup at Fratton Park.

A single second half goal from substitute Richard Hughes proved enough to see Harry Redknapp's outfit win out in the fifth round replay.

Chances proved to be scarce in the opening half with the visitors creating the only clear cut opportunity.

Steven Gerrard was at the hub of Liverpool's best moves and it was his through ball that left Emile Heskey through on goal but the England international wasted the opening as his left foot shot was straight at the onrushing Shaka Hislop in the Pompey goal.

The game soon sparked into life straight after the interval as referee Matt Messias appeared to award Liverpool a penalty for an apparent handball by Linvoy Primus.

The decision seemed harsh as it looked as if it was substitute Milan Baros' arm that made contact with the cross and thankfully for the hosts the referee's assistant had a clear view of the incident and told the referee to reverse his decision.

Immediately Portsmouth began to become more of an attacking force in the match as the home faithful turned up the noise level.

However it was The Reds who were gifted the ideal chance to break the deadlock as Messias again pointed to the spot for an alleged foul on Baros.

The Czech forward was through on goal but a desperate sliding tackle from Matthew Taylor seemed to have averted the danger for the hosts until Messias decided to point to the spot.

Justice was done for Portsmouth when Michael Owen tamely struck his penalty to Hislop's left and the in-form keeper easily kept it out to make sure it remained 0-0.

The only goal of the game finally came in the 72nd minute when a neat passing move by Portsmouth left Hughes with time and space on the left of the box to arrow a low drive past the helpless Chris Kirkland in the Liverpool goal.

It was the substitute's first goal for the club since joining from Bournemouth and proved to be enough to see the Premiership strugglers through as some late heroics from Hislop booked a home tie with Arsenal in the quarter finals.


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Thor Zakariassen ©