We were in control of the first half although struggled to create much. Fulham had the best chance of the half when Ashdown made a smart save on the post but apart from that they looked nervous and we really should have done more to capitalise on that.
Instead we proceeded to screw up every final ball we attempted and nobody had the balls to shoot from distance, or anywhere in fact. Niko Kranjcar looked good and came closest to scoring with a volley but nobody else in the side looked like hitting the back of the net.
Come the second half and it was the same old story for us. We looked good at times but lacked that killer pass or that striker's instinct yet Fulham started to come back into the game knowing that they had to win to survive.
And so once again we gifted the opposition a goal from a set piece after Bullard's free kick was met by a free header from Danny Murphy (always scores against us, doesn't he?) to send the Fulham fans behind the goal mental.
They need not have felt nervous for the remaining 15 minutes or so either as despite a few surges into their box, we barely troubled Kasey Keller and so Roy Hodgson's side managed to complete their most unlikely escape from relegation whilst we now go into the Cup Final on the back of four straight defeats.
There were a few idiots who booed after the final whistle despite Pompey finishing 8th in the league and the small matter of being in the FA Cup Final, but the majority stayed for the lap of honour at the end of the game as well as applauding Fulham which I thought was a nice touch.
The singing of "There's only one Pedro Mendes" as he was subbed was also a nice touch as it looks like he'll be leaving in the summer. The same could be said about his replacement, Sean Davis, who I would also be sad to see leave the club.
The final whistle blew and our league campaign was over. Eighth place, 57 points and nine away wins is something to be proud of, although the late capitulation will worry some ahead of May 17th.
I'll admit that losing the last four games of the season has irked me a bit but all will be forgiven if we lift the cup on Saturday. That task may have just become more difficult due to recent form and the fact that Cardiff have been in better form and have had longer to prepare.
Harry Redknapp made some comments after the game about how the booing after the game was ridiculous considering the "dross" we've been through these last 40 years. Whilst I agree that the jeers were ungrateful, I think it was slightly disrespectful for Redknapp to label the last 40 years of our history as rubbish, especially as we have had some good players and some (relative) success in that time.
Of course, winning the FA Cup will blow those past achievements out of the water and Harry doesn't seem too bothered about our form and I'm sure he and the other staff will prepare the team, which should be as full strength as it could possibly be, for the biggest game in his managerial career.
Still, if anyone associated with Portsmouth Football Club was feeling complacent about the Final, those feelings have sure been extinguished now!
Pompey Player Ratings
Jamie Ashdown: 6 - A couple of good saves.
Glen Johnson: 7 - Came out of the game with some credit.
Sylvain Distin: 6 - Dealt with most of Fulham's minimal attack.
Noe Pamarot: 6 - Looked solid on his return.
Hermann Hreidarsson: 6 - Did his best to provide some attacking incentive.
John Utaka: 6 - Got stuck in but could have done better.
Lassana Diarra: 6 - Uncharacteristcally kept giving the ball away.
Pedro Mendes: 6 - Didn't do enough to secure a cup final place.
Niko Kranjcar: 7 - Looked most likely to score.
Kanu: 6 - Needs to have more influence in the final.
Jermain Defoe: 6 - Couldn't get into the game.
Substitutes
Asmir Begovic
Sulley Muntari: N/A - Late introduction changed nothing.
Sean Davis: 6 - Coudln't haunt his former club.
Milan Baros: 5 - Added nothing.
Marc Wilson