Since Portsmouth were declared into administration, many questioned whether this was the beginning of the end for Pompey. Ridden with crippling debts mounting to £70m in a sorry season that has seen four different owners taking charge of running the club. But on Sunday, their Premiership form went out of the window and swept past Birmingham 2-0 to progress to the FA Cup semis.
They will now face either Fulham, or even more intriguingly Tottenham, managed by former boss Harry Redknapp who boast a number of previous Pompey players in the Tottenham first team including Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Niko Kranjcar and Younes Kaboul.
The FA Cup quater-final victory is very ironic as it will take them to Wembley, arguably the club's finest hour in their 112-tear history when they truimphed over Cardiff in the 2008 final, but also acted as a sharp turning point to financial oblivlion. Their victory last weekend netted some £607,000 in winnings and broadcast fees, but as the club are in administration, Portsmouth will need to appeal to the Football Association to claim their earnings.
Portsmouth used the guile and thurst of striker Federic Piquionne to full effect, who scored both of their goals. He held the ball up very well and gave dynamic midfielders like Jamie O'Hara something to work on. It was the type of performance that would have even given Man Utd a run for their money. It was full of vigour, tenacity, and work rate that what really pleased boss Avram Grant, who undoubtedly has been working tirelessly to gee up a demoralised first-team squad.
They needed a stroke of luck when a header from Birmingham centre-back Liam Ridgewell had a header disallowed despite the ball crossing the line. But you cannot say they did not deserve some luck after what the players have gone through during this turmultuous period.
Whoever comes through out of the Tottenham-Fulham clash will be sure favourites in the semi, but no one can question Portsmouth's drive as they smove one step closer to their poison chalice: the FA Cup.
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