Redknapp sees keeping Portsmouth up better than Cup victory

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said keeping the team in the Premier League two years ago was a greater achievement than winning the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Redknapp, in the game as a player and manager for more than 40 years, lifted his first trophy when Nwankwo Kanu's goal beat Cardiff City at Wembley.

"It's a great day in terms of there is glory in winning the FA Cup but in football terms, keeping Portsmouth up a couple of years ago was a bigger achievement," he said of the team's miraculous escape after he returned from a brief spell at local rivals Southampton.

Redknapp said that many people questioned his judgement when he took Kanu from West Bromwich Albion but his faith was repaid on Saturday and in the semi-finals, when his goal against his old club secured a 1-0 win.

"When I got him on a free everyone thought I was mad but he has been great for us," he said.

Cardiff manager Dave Jones had no complaints about the result or the efforts of his players.

"They did everything we asked of them," he said. "We knew our best chance was to take the game to Portsmouth and in the first half we had some good chances.

"One mistake probably cost us the game but we matched them in every department.