Portsmouth won the FA Cup for the first time in 69 years on Saturday when Nigeria striker Nwankwo Kanu's first-half goal was enough to overcome the spirited challenge of Championship (second division) Cardiff City.

The final was initially an open and adventurous contest, given a magnificent backdrop by both sides' noisy fans making the most of their rare moment in the limelight.

The goal came after 37 minutes when midfielder John Utaka whipped in a low cross from the right and Cardiff's on-loan Finland goalkeeper Peter Enckelman could only push it straight into the path of Kanu, who bundled it back past him to make amends for an earlier miss when he hit a post.

Cardiff held their own in a lively first half but the Premier League side took command after the break as the Welsh team ran out of ideas and energy.