King James perks up Pompey

EVEN at the age of 37 some believe David James still has plenty to learn, but he produced an outstanding performance, including a penalty save, to propel Portsmouth into the quarter-finals yesterday.

Darren Carter’s own goal three minutes into added time may have applied the decisive finish, but it was James who deserved the credit for keeping Harry Redknapp’s subdued side on the road to Wembley.

James has reclaimed his England place and Redknapp was keen to douse talk of interest from Tottenham in his former Liverpool and Aston Villa player. He failed to make contact with a couple of early crosses and his kicking from the hand and the floor was suspect but he made several important stops in the second half before turning away Simon Whaley’s penalty to give Pompey the platform to win the tie.

“He’s different class,” Redknapp said. “When the lad stepped up to take the penalty, he’s so imposing he knows he’s got to stick a good penalty away to beat him because he’s that good. Ever since he walked into Portsmouth he’s been fantastic for us.

“He’s under contract and he’s got another two years after this. I’ve told my chief executive Peter Storrie that he’ll play until he’s 40.”

Portsmouth’s midfield looked like men far older than that yesterday, despite playing a side who are battling against the drop to League One.

With Kanu on his own up front, none of Redknapp’s five midfielders looked like getting beyond the Nigerian and they also lacked width. There was no penetration and movement to their play and Preston, who lacked quality in the final third, were able to threaten due to sheer hard work.

It was Whaley’s short pass in-field from the right that caused Sylvain Distin, who was struggling with flu, to trip Billy Jones inside the area but James got a firm hand to Whaley’s penalty to keep his team in the game.

James also made a stunning save to tip away his former Liverpool team-mate Neil Mellor’s powerful drive from distance.

Those near misses made the game’s injury-time twist almost inevitable. Sure enough, Niko Kranjcar’s corner was brushed by Herman Hreidarsson’s arm and Carter lashed the ball into his own net as he desperately attempted to clear.

“It was very cruel,” Preston’s manager Alan Irvine said. “We certainly didn’t deserve to lose that game.”

PRESTON (4-4-2): Lonergan 7, Jones 6, Mawene 6, Chilvers 6, Davidson 5, Sedgwick 5 (Chaplow 87, 6), McKenna 6, Carter 7, Whaley 7, Hawley 7 (Mellor 70, 6), Brown 6.

Subs Not Used: Ormerod, Hill, Szamotulski.

PORTSMOUTH (4-1-4-1): James 7, Johnson 5, Campbell 7, Distin 5, Hreidarsson 6, Diop 5, Utaka 6, Diarra 6, Muntari 6 (Baros 76, 6), Kranjcar 7, Kanu 5.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Hughes, Aubey.

REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral) 7: Had a quiet afternoon but got the penalty decision right and was correct to wave away claims for another Preston spot-kick shortly after.

MATCH RATING: ** It took an hour for there to feel that there was anything at stake. Portsmouth lacked urgency but were able to keep the Championship side at arms’ length.