Niko: That was reward for AC Milan display
Pompey took the plaudits for their AC Milan heroics - but yesterday they finally reaped the full rewards.
That's the verdict of Niko Kranjcar, who believes footballing justice was at last done in the form of triumph over Blackburn.
It may have arrived a little late following that Thursday night heartbreak which saw two goals in the last six minutes spoil the Uefa Cup occasion.
Nonetheless, yesterday's 3-2 win was just deserts in Kranjcar's eyes.
The Blues had produced one of the great displays by an English club in Europe against the seven-time champions.
And their grand prize was three points – and first Fratton Park win for Tony Adams – courtesy of Paul Ince's strugglers.
>>> Watch FREE highlights of Pompey's win against Blackburn. Click here.
He said: 'Finally we won. The manager deserves it, the whole team deserves it after a great week, especially the disappointing end against Milan. The players on the pitch were outstanding that night, the atmosphere from the fans was magnificent, we all deserved victory.
'Unfortunately it didn't happen, which was such a shame. But I think Blackburn was the reward for what was achieved that night.
'The result finally came our way.
'That Milan fixture was an outstanding game, I think the second half especially our players played some great football, the win was theirs.
'But it didn't happen. We took some confidence from that though into Blackburn.
'That was our reward for Milan.'
It was Kranjcar's entrance from the bench at half-time which transformed yesterday's encounter.
The Croatian, back from an ankle problem, helped change a dull goalless affair into yet another home nail-biter.
It was his precision through-ball which allowed Jermain Defoe to make it 2-0 on 53 minutes.
That was until two goals in five minutes saw Blackburn force their way back onto level terms – before Sean Davis had the final say.
And Kranjcar was quick to pay tribute to the side's never-say-die character.
He added: 'We let them back into it, although the experience of the past few games didn't let us believe we were going to win 2-0.
'After conceding those two goals we had to dig in to find the strength to get back into the game.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
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