Matt Jones managed to run a couple of laps, and the City team and the Pompey team both did some with Birch. He managed his 50 for the 24th time.

The large contingent of Pompey fans, many of whom had been treated pretty bloody shoddily by our police it has to be said, were in good voice, but their team couldn't match the enthusiasm as City started like an express train.

It only took City 5 minutes to take the lead and put a smile on our faces. Dickov whipped a ball across goal and a deflection from Pompey's Taylor made it 1-0.

Muzzy hit the crossbar a few minutes later and it was all Leicester. EIEIEIO rang oiut from the Kop.

Pompey had a penalty claim turned down in the 25th minute after Nikos Dabizas' challenge on LuaLua in the Leicester box. Thus started a bit of banter between LuaLua and the Leicester fans for the rest of the game.

This relationship was a lot more friendly than Billy McKinlay's little chats with Matt Heath. Billy obviously didn't think Matty was in the right place at the right time on several occasions and told him in no uncertain terms. Scary Scot. We'd not argue with him.

Bent was looking quite bright again, and he set up Dickov 15 minutes later for the wee wasp to fire home and run off like an aeroplane to celebrate.

Muzzy again came close with a lob that went wide, and was having a great game. The mood was upbeat and the wave started off round the stadium.

Pompey didn't look like scoring for ages and only had a few chances up the leicester end. One resulted in a corner. As the ref went to check an injury the blossoming love-in between LuaLua and the Kop increased as LuaLua grinned and pointed to his Premiership badge and made a going down side. At 2-0 up we could afford to not get tetchy and we gave him some stick back. As the game restarted one of the other pompey players camne to take the corner instead of LuaLua, resulting in the Kop singing "He thinks you're shit, he thinks, you're shit!" .

Half time had legend Bobby Smith on the pitch.

Only a few minutes into the second half and surprisingly Muzzy was taken off to rapturous applause. It turned out to be a hamstring injury. Lilian Nalis came on and sprayed the ball about quite well.

City then went to sleep and let Pompey cut through them as we'd done against teams earlier in the season. Heath tried to stick his leg out to stop the ball, but it deflected into the path of Quashie who fired left footed past Walker. 2-1.

Jordan Stewart came on for Leicester and had a good run with lots of wriggles and turns before seeing his shot palmed away by Hislop. If Jordy had a brain, he'd be dangerous.

City weren't going to throw this one away for a change, and made sure after 70 minutes with a good Dickov cross finding Scowy. Even he couldn't miss that one. "Bring on the Arsenal" sang the Kop.

Micky put Sir Les on for his last appearance maybe, and got the crowd giving him a standing ovation. A one legged Sir Les is still miles classier than most of the squad.

Big Trev also came on for a couple of minutes. As the Kop chanted his name he ran onto the ball and promptly fell flat on his face as he tripped over his own foot. Bloody brilliant. Best laugh all game.

The City fans stayed behind as the team came round the pitch with the Thank You and Keep the Faith banners, of course to "Rocking all over the World" by Quo. Birchy ran round interviewing some of them including Lilian Nalis, Sir Les and Paul Dickov. Sir Les said he hoped the op would be a success. Don't we all. Another season from him would be great. Dickov told us he'd be here next season to a great cheer.

Then as the players went down the tunnel Birchy pulled Muzzy into the middle of the pitch and Muzzy thanked us all for 8 great years. We thought he would leave 2 years ago, but this time it seems like he's already gone. As Birch said, he'll always be welcomed back. A sad day.

Now all we have to do is beat Arsenal next week to try and get an extra million for Micky to spend and blow Arsenal's unbeaten run. Easy peasy.