Well we might of preferred it in the league, but Pompey finally handed out a hiding to Premiership opposition, and all the goals came from strikers!

Paul Hart threatened widespread changes to the side, but in reality it was just a little tinkering with a couple of positions and formations. Ashdown replaced James in goal with both Belhadj and Vanden Borre coming in to the fullback positions, Mullins came back into midfield and Danny Webber came into an attacking forward line with both Dindane and Piquionne.

Belhadj had the first shot of note on 9 minutes, but it was blocked out, but Pompey were passing it around nicely freed from the shackles of their league woes, and it was only 10 minutes later that Piquionne nodded us in front from a Belhadj cross, Pompey were belying their position in the table and looked like a team full of confidence.

Dindane seemed to revel in a wider role, while Piquionne had chances for a first half hat-trick but he was wasteful with both further chances to fall his way, he still seemed low on confidence even after his earlier strike. Stoke came into the game a bit more in the final 15 minutes of the first half, but Pompey held firm until half time.

The second half came, and by the hour mark Pompey were coasting, first Danny Webber shimmied in from the left and belted past Simonsen, and then the hapless 'keeper was nowhere near a Brown free-kick to give Freddie P an easy tap in and virtually grant Pompey a pass to the final 8 of the cup. When you are 3 up at home it is time for one man, and on came Kanu, and for the next 22 minutes it was all about the King. He grabbed a goal to cap his cameo, selling Simonsen a dummy and then rolling into the net, almost grabbing a second at the close, curling wide.

Pompey are through to the quarter-final stage for the first time since '94 and only the 4th time ever. A tougher tie will no doubt be next, but the fillip this win can give can not be denied, the strikers scored goals and the movement was good, bring on Wigan!

Star Player
I nearly went for Kanu, but not wanting to get all misty eyed and Steve Bruce like, it will have to go for two goal Freddie, once his second went in, the shackles lifted somewhat, and if he can step on now, the goals may flow.