05/04/08: FA Cup Semi-Final: West Bromwich Albion 0 Pompey 1
After all of the build up, our big day out at Wembley had arrived but despite all the anticipation the game was a bit of an anti-climax.
Pompey were dismal in the first half as Albion kept possession and passed the ball well but couldn't create any clear cut chances bar a couple of David James spills.
The story changed in the second half when Milan Baros controlled Glen Johnson's ball into the box (with a hint of his hand) but Dean Kiely saved. However, a defensive mix up allowed Kanu to tap in the loose ball after Zoltan Gera failed to clear a ball that Kiely would have grasped anyway.
The Pompey fans went crazy and that galvanised the team as more chances were created. Somehow Baros managed to screw up when one-on-one with Kiely and David Nugent also missed a couple of great chances.
We might have paid for that if Robert Koren's stinger didn't hit the crossbar but we saw out the Baggies' pressure and claimed our place in our first FA Cup Final since 1969.
Cardiff City beat Barnsley a day later to set up the unlikeliest of Cup Finals but we wouldn't have much time to reflect on the Wembley experience as Pompey were back in London three days later to play West Ham.
08/04/08: Premier League Matchday #33: West Ham United 0 Pompey 1
A diluted side cantered to victory at Upton Park although Bobby Zamora had the best chance of the game after he took the ball past an onrushing David James but fired his shot into the side netting.
David Nugent came close in the first half but Niko Kranjcar's excellent effort from about 20 yards beat Robert Green in the second half. Alan Curbishley couldn't find a way for his side to break down Pompey as Harry Redknapp was triumphant at his old club once again.
This result meant that Portsmouth recorded their record points tally since being in the Premier League but this victory would be our last league win of the season.
Next up were a Newcastle United side rejuvenated under Kevin Keegan...
12/04/08: Premier League Matchday #34: Pompey 0 Newcastle United 0
After a dull first half spoilt by Phil Dowd, the second half of this game was almost just as bad although Michael Owen wondered how the hell he didn't score after David James saved his close range shot with his afro!
Papa Bouba Diop skied a late chance for Pompey as the team recorded yet another goalless draw at home. The point earned from this encounter would be the last of the season for us.
Pompey revealed yet more plans for a new training ground whilst UEFA also approved Cardiff for Europe should they have won the FA Cup. That was still a month away though and our immediate concern was a trip to the blue side of Manchester.
20/04/08: Premier League Matchday #35: Manchester City 3 Pompey 1
As with the Everton game, Pompey shot themselves in the foot early on after a complete calamity by the onrushing David James and the indecisive Sol Campbell allowed Benjani to pass the ball to Stephen Ireland. He somehow skewed his shot at an open goal but Darius Vassell made no mistake in making sure the ball ended up in the net.
City doubled their lead after sloppy defending in the box allowed Martin Petrov to score a deflected goal. John Utaka pulled one back for us following his flick from a corner but all hopes of a comeback took a huge hit when Hermann Hreidarsson needlessly pulled back Vassell and was sent off for a professional foul.
Despite playing better with ten men it was inevitable that Benjani would finish us off by unleashing a corker past James but the former Pompey favourite didn't celebrate his goal out of respect. We continued to try and find another goal but Joe Hart wouldn't be denied as Pompey left Eastlands empty-handed.
That result would put a huge dent in our quest for fifth place and the following game would be a crucial match in the race to catch Everton.
27/04/08: Premier League Matchday #36: Pompey 0 Blackburn Rovers 1
Prior to the game everyone at Fratton Park was rocked by the news that David James had sustained a calf injury that may have ruled him out of the cup final.
A tepid game culminated in Roque Santa Cruz scoring the only goal of the match following some link-up play with Jason Roberts. Pompey piled on the pressure but couldn't find a way past Brad Friedel as Rovers won on our turf for the second time this season and ruled us out of the running for fifth place.
David James did have some better news at the end of the month as he was voted into the PFA team of the season but after such a promising start April had gone flat and the season threatened to implode going into the final month.
Premier League Table on April 30th
5th: Everton - 62pts
6th: Aston Villa - 59pts
7th: Portsmouth - 57pts
8th: Blackburn - 56pts
9th: Manchester City - 55pts