Portsmouth manager Avram Grant remains undaunted by his side’s FA Cup final date with Chelsea despite being huge underdogs. The Premier League champions are fresh off winning the title last Sunday after whipping Wigan Athletic 8-0. It was their fourth win this season in which they have scored 7 goals in a match.

Grant is adamant that Pompey still stands a chance despite everything that has gone wrong at the club this season and their opponents in the final may have to pay them more respect.

“Chelsea won the Premier League and we finished bottom so, of course, we will be huge underdogs,” said Grant in The Sun.

“They scored eight against Wigan on Sunday and seven against Stoke the other week. It is like watching basketball scores – but I have an arrangement with them that they will stop at four at Wembley!

“We know that Chelsea can hurt us from anywhere but I promise you that Portsmouth will try to play good football.”

Former Chelsea boss Grant has led the south coast club under difficult circumstances this season, with the relegated Premier League club having seen ownership change hands four times in succession. Portsmouth are now in administration and face mounting debts.

Grant is also likely to manage Pompey for the last time at Wembley and hopes to deliver a trophy to the club’s suffering fans, with whom he has developed a close bond.

“A year ago, I did not think it possible that I could love a club like I love this one,” he said.

“We have all worked so hard to secure the future of this team and I was very touched by the reception I received after our last game at Everton, not just from the Portsmouth fans but from the whole stadium.

“All this season I have needed to prove myself and do something for the club. Otherwise there will not be a club any more.”

Tags: Avram Grant, English FA Cup, FA Cup final, Portsmouth