2007–08 Portsmouth F.C. season explained

Club:Portsmouth
Season:2007–08
Manager:Harry Redknapp
Stadium:Fratton Park
League:Premier League
League Result:8th
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Winners
Cup2:League Cup
Cup2 Result:Fourth round
League Topscorer:Benjani (12)
Highest Attendance:20,556 vs. Arsenal
(26 December 2007)
Lowest Attendance:17,108 vs. Bolton Wanderers
(18 August 2007)
Average Attendance:18,832
Prevseason:2006–07
Nextseason:2008–09

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]

Reserve squad

The following players did not appear for the first-team this season.

Competitions

Premier League

See main article: 2007–08 Premier League.

Table

FA Cup

Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Round
1 0 5 January 2008 Third round
2 1 26 January 2008 Fourth round
1 0 17 February 2008 Fifth round
1 0 8 March 2008 Sixth round
1 0 5 April 2008 Semi-final
1 0 17 May 2008 Final

League Cup

Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Round
3 1 28 August 2007 Second round
1 0 25 September 2008 Third round
1 2 30 October 2008 Fourth round

Statistics

Appearances and goals

|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Goalkeepers|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Defenders|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Midfielders|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Forwards|-! colspan=14 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Players transferred out during the season|-

Top scorers

Premier League

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FootballSquads - Portsmouth - 2007/08.