Portsmouth Football Club News

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19,179

Derby success delights Avram

14 Feb 2010 - 11:04:03

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Portsmouth boss Avram Grant admitted Saturday's 4-1 FA Cup fifth round win over bitter local rivals Southampton had exceeded his expectations.

Aruna Dindane, Nadir Belhadj, Jamie O'Hara and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's first goal in a Portsmouth shirt secured a morale-boosting victory for the Premier League strugglers at St Mary's.

The rare win also ensured a turbulent week where Pompey required a stay of execution from the High Court to avoid being wound up due to their ongoing financial problems ended on a much-needed high.

"We believed that we could win the game," said Grant. "(Maybe) not 4-1, because Southampton played very well tactically in the first half. In the second half we were much better.

"It's good for the club and good for the fans.

"Since the draw everybody spoke only about this game, like there is no league, so it is very important for everybody."

Man-of-the-match O'Hara added: "We had to give something back to the fans today because it's been a bit of a dire season for us.

"The fans have been fantastic all season and it's good to give something back."