Both Portsmouth and Blackburn came into this Carling Cup game with similar histories. Both had beaten a team starting with the name B, Burnley in Portsmouth's case and Birmingham City for Blackburn, to make it to the fourth round. Both had been knocked out in the third round of the Cup last year. And for both Harry Redknapp and Mark Hughes, the Cup probably represented their only chance at silverware this season.
Portsmouth came into this game on a seven game unbeaten streak. Blackburn's only domestic defeat this season was at the hands of Pompey. But they had recent form on their side, having never lost away from Ewood Park domestically since their April FA Cup semi final loss at the hands of Chelsea.
The home side stepped on the pitch without Herman Hredairsson and Sulley Muntari, opting for Noe Pamarot and Sean Davis in their place. With Benjani and John Utaka starting upfront, both David Nugent and Kanu were relegated to a spot on the bench. Blackburn were without the experienced Robbie Savage, and Hughes chose Aaron Mokoena as his replacement. The South African did not disappoint, crossing for compatriot Benni McCarthy to score after eleven minutes. The Portsmouth defenders were conspicuous by their absence when McCarthy slotted it home, and the home side's performance in the first half was disappointing to say the least.
Goal provider Mokoena had to be stretchered off after 28 minutes with a suspected broken leg , and Australian Brett Emerton came in. 10 minutes later, David Bentley was replaced by Matt Derbyshire. With Blackburn leading at half time, Redknapp brought on Matthew Taylor and David Nugent in an attempt to rejuvenate the home side. The former Preston striker failed to convert an absolute sitter from Kranjcar's cross, and at the other end, David James kept his side in the game after stopping a powerful Cherno Samba shot.
Pompey brought in Kanu with 15 minutes to go, but only 2 minutes later, McCarthy capped a magnificent individual performance when he robbed the Pedro Mendes of the ball and set it up for Morten Gamst Pedersen, who duly did the rest. Kanu sneaked in a goal in the dying minutes, but it was too late for the South Coast faithful.
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