James left 'happy as Larry'

Keeper ecstatic after Wembley success

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 17th May 2008

David James celeb Bolton v Portsmouth

James: Pompey hero

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David James felt that Portsmouth deserved to win the FA Cup after their 1-0 victory over Cardiff on Saturday.

The England international helped Harry Redknapp's side to a memorable Wembley victory over their Championship counterparts, and ensured that the 2008 competition failed to produce one last shock.

The Bluebirds proved to be plucky opponents for Premier League Pompey, but James felt that the best side emerged victorious on the day.

"It's tremendous," James, who has twice previously suffered cup final heartbreak with former clubs Liverpool and Aston Villa, told Sky Sports.

"Cardiff gave a good account of themselves, but we were the better team and we deserved the win - so I'm as happy as Larry."

Ruled out

James enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon in the Pompey goal and insists that a Glenn Loovens' effort in the first-half, which did beat him, was rightly ruled out for a previous misdemeanour.

"It was definite handball and the referee saw it, which was good," he added.

"To be fair I didn't really have much to do today, the defence was solid again and as I say we thoroughly deserved the win."

Worthy

The veteran keeper also feels that Portsmouth were deserving winners of the trophy after a tough run to the final, which included a quarter-final contest at Old Trafford with Premier League champions Manchester United.

"It's fantastic," he said.

"In the build-up to the final we had to play Manchester United, the best team in the country and maybe in Europe. We beat their best team, we had to earn our right to get here. Hats off to the lads."