Pompey get all shirty

Don't be fooled into thinking Albion were defeated by Kanu's goal as a result of Milan Baros' inspirational use of the arm.

Far from it.

Let me explain.

We know the drill - a major game, the final whistle blows, one team celebrates, the other doesn't, they all swap shirts, everyone leaves the pitch...

This wouldn't normally be a problem except that kit manufacturers Canterbury banned Portsmouth players from swapping shirts with Albion players at the end of Saturday's semi-final.

Whether or not this happened I don't know as I was occupied by more pressing matters - perhaps someone can shed more light - although I'm sure I saw at least one Baggies player, Robert Koren, carrying a Pompey shirt.

Canterbury's reasons, released before the semi-final, are precious to say the least.

"It is true the players are not permitted to swap shirts after a game. Canterbury have invested significant amounts of money into the development and manufacturing of the kit, which is worn exclusively by Portsmouth.

"The secret ingredients and chemical process that makes IonX has - as of last year - been patented by Canterbury for 25 years."

So there you have it. Portsmouth's success has nothing to do with an oligarch's millions, a chirpy Cockney's managerial abilities or a collection of decent players.

It's all in the shirts.

So, just as most drivers are scraping the ice from their windscreens while Mondeo drivers make the most of Ford's exclusive rights to heated front windscreens, the rest of the footballing world will have to go on without knowing more about Portsmouth's biggest weapon.