Portsmouth F.C. won their first major trophy since 1950, thanks to an FA Cup campaign that saw them beat Cardiff City in the final. The run to the final included a surprise 1–0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, thanks to a Sulley Muntari penalty.
The millions of pounds invested in the squad on players such as Glen Johnson, Lassana Diarra, Muntari and others also enabled Portsmouth to have an unprecedented run in the modern Premier League era, finishing in eighth despite losing the last few matches of the season. During the autumn, Portsmouth was involved in the battle for a Champions League spot, thanks to its surprise form. The season also saw a remarkable game, beating Reading by 7–4 at Fratton Park, following eight goals in the second half.
However, despite the success in the FA Cup and league, the club's overspending on players would lead to a financial crisis that would see Portsmouth enter administration twice and suffer relegation to the fourth tier within five seasons.
Players
First-team squad
- Squad at end of season[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserve squad
- The following players did not appear for the first-team this season.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Competitions
Premier League
Results
| 11 August 2007 1 | Derby County | 2–2 | Portsmouth | Derby, Derbyshire |
Oakley  5'Todd 84' |
Report | Benjani 27' Utaka 83' |
Stadium: Pride Park Stadium Attendance: 32,176 Referee: Mike Dean |
| 15 August 2007 2 | Portsmouth | 1–1 | Manchester United | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 19:45 | Benjani 53' Muntari  54', 83'  Davis 86' |
Report | Scholes 15' Ronaldo  85'Vidić 86' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,510 Referee: Steve Bennett |
| 18 August 2007 3 | Portsmouth | 3–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 12:45 BST | Kanu 16' Utaka 30'Taylor 88' (pen.) |
Report | Anelka 12' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 17,108 Referee: Steve Tanner |
| 25 August 2007 4 | Chelsea | 1–0 | Portsmouth | Fulham, London |
| 15:00 BST | Lampard 31' |
Report | Davis 52' Muntari 77' |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 41,501 Referee: Alan Wiley |
| 2 September 2007 5 | Arsenal | 3–1 | Portsmouth | Islington, London |
| 13:30 BST | Adebayor 8' (pen.) Fàbregas 35'Senderos 49'Rosický 59' |
Report | Kanu 60' |
Stadium: Emirates Stadium Attendance: 60,114 Referee: Mark Halsey |
| 15 September 2007 6 | Portsmouth | 0–0 | Liverpool | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 12:45 BST | Bouba Diop 29' Johnson 64'Davis 90+3' |
Report | Alonso 31' Sissoko 76' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,388 Referee: Mike Riley |
| 23 September 2007 7 | Blackburn Rovers | 0–1 | Portsmouth | Blackburn, Lancashire |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Kanu 25' |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 19,506 Referee: Chris Foy |
| 29 September 2007 8 | Portsmouth | 7–4 | Reading | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 15:00 BST | Benjani 7', 37', 70' Hreiðarsson 55'Kranjčar 70'Ingimarsson 81' (o.g.)Muntari 90+2' (pen.) |
Report | Hunt 45' Kitson 48'Long 79'Campbell 90+4' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,102 Referee: Mark Halsey |
| 7 October 2007 9 | Fulham | 0–2 | Portsmouth | Fulham, London |
| 16:10 | Davis 21' |
Report | Benjani 50' Hreiðarsson 52' |
Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 20,774 Referee: Howard Webb |
| 20 October 2007 10 | Wigan Athletic | 0–2 | Portsmouth | Wigan, Greater Manchester |
| Report | Benjani 81' Johnson 86' |
Stadium: DW Stadium Attendance: 17,695 Referee: Peter Walton |
| 27 October 2007 11 | Portsmouth | 0–0 | West Ham United | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 17:15 BST | Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,525 Referee: Mike Dean |
| 3 November 2007 12 | Newcastle United | 1–4 | Portsmouth | Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyneside |
| Campbell 16' (o.g.) |
Report | Pamarot 8' Benjani 9'Utaka 11'Kranjčar 71' |
Stadium: St. James' Park Attendance: 51,490 Referee: Chris Foy |
| 11 November 2007 13 | Portsmouth | 0–0 | Manchester City | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 16:00 | Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 19,529 Referee: Mark Halsey |
| 24 November 2007 14 | Birmingham City | 0–2 | Portsmouth | Birmingham, West Midlands |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Muntari 34' Kranjčar 82' |
Stadium: St. Andrew's Attendance: 22,089 Referee: Martin Atkinson |
| 1 December 2007 15 | Portsmouth | 0–0 | Everton | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| GMT | Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,102 Referee: Peter Walton |
| 8 December 2007 16 | Aston Villa | 1–3 | Portsmouth | Birmingham, West Midlands |
| 12:45 | Carew 4' Berger 67'Barry 72' (pen.) |
Report | Gardner 10' (o.g.) Muntari 40', 61'Mendes 43'Johnson 68'James 74'Pamarot 75'Kranjčar 80' |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 35,790 Referee: Mike Riley |
| 15 December 2007 17 | Portsmouth | 0–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| Report | Berbatov 81' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,520 Referee: Martin Atkinson |
| 22 December 2007 18 | Liverpool | 4–1 | Portsmouth | Liverpool, Merseyside |
| Benayoun 13' Distin 16' (o.g.)Torres 67', 85' |
Report | Benjani 57' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 43,071 Referee: Mike Riley |
| 26 December 2007 19 | Portsmouth | 0–0 | Arsenal | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,556 Referee: Steve Bennett |
| 29 December 2007 20 | Portsmouth | 0–1 | Middlesbrough | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| Report | Tuncay 20' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,089 Referee: Alan Wiley |
| 1 January 2008 21 | Reading | 0–2 | Portsmouth | Reading, Berkshire |
| 15:00 GMT | Sonko 3' |
Report | Campbell 9' Utaka 66' |
Stadium: Majewski Stadium Attendance: 24,084 Referee: Mike Dean |
| 13 January 2008 22 | Sunderland | 2–0 | Portsmouth | Sunderland |
| Richardson 33', 44' |
Report | Stadium: Stadium of Light Attendance: 37,369 Referee: Chris Foy |
| 19 January 2008 23 | Portsmouth | 3–1 | Derby County | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| Benjani 38', 42', 55' |
Report | Nyatanga 4' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 19,401 Referee: Mike Dean |
| 30 January 2008 24 | Manchester United | 2–0 | Portsmouth | Trafford, Greater Manchester |
| Ronaldo 10', 13' |
Report | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 75,415 Referee: Martin Atkinson |
| 2 February 2008 25 | Portsmouth | 1–1 | Chelsea | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 15:00 GMT | Defoe 64' |
Report | Anelka 55' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,488 Referee: Howard Webb |
| 9 February 2008 26 | Bolton Wanderers | 0–1 | Portsmouth | Bolton, Greater Manchester |
| 15:00 GMT | [news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7223964.stm Report] | Diarra 81' |
Stadium: Reebok Stadium Attendance: 18,544 Referee: Peter Walton |
| 2 February 2008 27 | Portsmouth | 1–0 | Sunderland | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| Defoe 69' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,139 Referee: Phil Dowd |
| 2 March 2008 28 | Everton | 3–1 | Portsmouth | Liverpool, Merseyside |
| Yakubu 1', 81' Cahill 73' |
Report | Defoe 38' |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 33,938 Referee: Andre Marriner |
| 12 March 2008 29 | Portsmouth | 4–2 | Birmingham City | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 19:45 GMT | Defoe 6' (pen.), 9' Hreiðarsson 49'Kanu 90' |
Report | Muamba 10' Larsson 40' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,138 Referee: Steve Tanner |
| 15 March 2008 30 | Portsmouth | 2–0 | Aston Villa | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| Defoe 11' Reo-Coker 38' (o.g.) |
Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,388 Referee: Chris Foy |
| 22 March 2008 31 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2–0 | Portsmouth | Haringey, London |
| Bent 30' O'Hara 82' |
Report | Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 35,998 Referee: Phil Dowd |
| 29 March 2008 32 | Portsmouth | 2–0 | Wigan Athletic | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| Defoe 32', 90' |
Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 18,623 Referee: Alan Wiley |
| 8 April 2008 33 | West Ham United | 0–1 | Portsmouth | London |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Kranjčar 61' |
Stadium: Upton Park Attendance: 33,629 Referee: Lee Probert |
| 12 April 2008 34 | Portsmouth | 0–0 | Newcastle United | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| Report | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,507 Referee: Phil Dowd |
| 20 April 2008 35 | Manchester City | 3–1 | Portsmouth | Manchester, Greater Manchester |
| 16:00 | Vassell 11' Petrov 13'Benjani 74' |
Report | Utaka 24' |
Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium Attendance: 40,205 Referee: Andre Marriner |
| 27 April 2008 36 | Portsmouth | 0–1 | Blackburn Rovers | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 13:30 | Report | Santa Cruz 74' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 18,722 Referee: Mike Riley |
| 3 May 2008 37 | Middlesbrough | 2–0 | Portsmouth | Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire |
| Riggott 40' Tuncay 53' |
Report | Stadium: Riverside Stadium Attendance: 24,828 Referee: Peter Walton |
| 11 May 2008 38 | Portsmouth | 0–1 | Fulham | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
| 15:00 | Report | Murphy 76' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 20,532 Referee: Mark Clattenburg |
Table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Aston Villa | 38 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 71 | 51 | +20 | 60 | Qualification for the Intertoto Cup third round |
| 7 | Blackburn Rovers | 38 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 50 | 48 | +2 | 58 | |
| 8 | Portsmouth | 38 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 48 | 40 | +8 | 57 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[a] |
| 9 | Manchester City | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 45 | 53 | −8 | 55 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first qualifying round[b] |
| 10 | West Ham United | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 42 | 50 | −8 | 49 |
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
For further information on European qualification see Premier League – Competition
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
For further information on European qualification see Premier League – Competition
Notes:
- ^ As FA Cup winners
- ^ Manchester City qualified as the highest-ranked team not already qualified for European competitions of Premier League Fair Play Ranking by The Football Association, the top association among UEFA Fair Play ranking winners.
FA Cup
| Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipswich Town | 1 | 0 | 5 January 2008 | Portman Road, Ipswich | Third round |
| Plymouth Argyle | 2 | 1 | 26 January 2008 | Fratton Park, Portsmouth | Fourth round |
| Preston North End | 1 | 0 | 17 February 2008 | Deepdale, Preston | Fifth round |
| Manchester United | 1 | 0 | 8 March 2008 | Old Trafford, Manchester | Sixth round |
| West Bromwich Albion | 1 | 0 | 5 April 2008 | Wembley Stadium, London | Semi-final |
Cardiff City  |
1 | 0 | 17 May 2008 | Wembley Stadium, London | Final |
League Cup
| Opposing Team | For | Against | Date | Venue | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds United | 3 | 1 | 28 August 2007 | Fratton Park, Portsmouth | Second round |
| Burnley | 1 | 0 | 25 September 2008 | Turf Moor, Burnley | Third round |
| Blackburn Rovers | 1 | 2 | 30 October 2008 | Fratton Park, Portsmouth | Fourth round |
Statistics
Appearances and goals
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||||
| 1 | GK |  ENG
|
David James | 42 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 21 | GK | ENG
|
Jamie Ashdown | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Defenders | |||||||||||||
| 3 | DF |  FRA
|
Lucien Aubey | 3 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 4 | DF |  CMR
|
Lauren | 18 | 0 | 11+4 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 5 | DF | ENG
|
Glen Johnson | 36 | 1 | 29 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 7 | DF |  ISL
|
Hermann Hreiðarsson | 39 | 3 | 30+2 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ||
| 15 | DF | FRA
|
Sylvain Distin | 45 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 16 | DF | FRA
|
Noé Pamarot | 22 | 3 | 14+4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 20 | DF | ENG
|
Martin Cranie | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 23 | DF | ENG
|
Sol Campbell | 37 | 1 | 31 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Midfielders | |||||||||||||
| 6 | MF | FRA
|
Lassana Diarra | 17 | 2 | 11+1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 8 | MF |  SEN
|
Papa Bouba Diop | 32 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | ||
| 11 | MF |  GHA
|
Sulley Muntari | 33 | 5 | 27+2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 18 | MF |  COD
|
Arnold Mvuemba | 12 | 0 | 3+5 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | ||
| 19 | MF |  CRO
|
Niko Kranjčar | 42 | 5 | 31+3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 22 | MF |  SCO
|
Richard Hughes | 17 | 0 | 8+5 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 28 | MF | ENG
|
Sean Davis | 25 | 0 | 18+4 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 30 | MF |  POR
|
Pedro Mendes | 24 | 0 | 14+4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 34 | MF | FRA
|
Frank Songo'o | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Forwards | |||||||||||||
| 9 | FW |  CZE
|
Milan Baroš | 16 | 0 | 8+4 | 0 | 1+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 10 | FW | ENG
|
David Nugent | 22 | 3 | 5+10 | 0 | 1+3 | 1 | 2+1 | 2 | ||
| 14 | FW | ENG
|
Jermain Defoe | 12 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 17 | FW |  NGA
|
John Utaka | 36 | 5 | 25+4 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | ||
| 27 | FW | NGA
|
Nwankwo Kanu | 31 | 7 | 13+12 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0+1 | 1 | ||
| Players transferred out during the season | |||||||||||||
| 6 | DF |  MLI
|
Djimi Traoré | 5 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 14 | MF | ENG
|
Matthew Taylor | 15 | 1 | 3+10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | ||
| 25 | FW |  ZIM
|
Benjani | 27 | 12 | 21+2 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 26 | MF | ENG
|
Gary O'Neil | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ||
Last updated: 31 May 2018
Source: Competitions
Top scorers
Premier League
- Benjani – 12
- Jermain Defoe – 7
- Sulley Muntari – 4
- Niko Kranjčar – 3
- Nwankwo Kanu – 3
- John Utaka – 3
Notes
- ^ Aubey was born in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, but also qualified to represent France internationally and represented France at U-21 level before making his international debut for the Republic of the Congo in August 2009.
- ^ Mvuemba was born in Alençon, France, and represented France at U-21 level, but also qualified to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo internationally and made his international debut for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2005.
- ^ Begović was born in Trebinje, SFR Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina), but was raised in Germany between the ages of 4 and 10 and in Canada from the age of 10 and represented Canada at U-20 level before making his international debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina in October 2009.
- ^ Songo'o was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, but was raised in France from the age of 2 and represented France at U-19 level and Cameroon at U-23 level, before making his international debut for Cameroon in September 2008.
- ^ Traoré was born in Saint-Ouen, France, but also qualified to represent Mali internationally and made his international debut for Mali in 2004.
- ^ O'Brien was born in Harrogate, England, and represented England at U-18 level, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented the Republic of Ireland at U-21 level before making his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in 2001.
- ^ Wilson was born in Aghagallon, Northern Ireland, and represented Northern Ireland at U-15 level, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally and represented the Republic of Ireland at U-18, U-19 and U-21 level before making his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in February 2011.
- ^ Ritchie was born in Gosport, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally through his father and made his international debut for Scotland in March 2015.
- ^ Mbuyi-Mutombo was born in Brussels, Belgium, and represented Belgium at U-19 level, but also qualified to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo internationally and made his international debut for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2011.
- ^ Subotić was born in Zagreb, Yugoslavia (now Croatia), but also qualified to represent Switzerland internationally and represented Switzerland at U-19 level.
References
- ^ "FootballSquads - Portsmouth - 2007/08". Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
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