Spurs hang on for Pompey win

Jermain Defoe scored and was then sent off on his return to Fratton Park as Spurs beat Portsmouth 2-1.

Both teams end with 10-men at Fratton Park

Jermain Defoe scored and was then sent off on his return to Fratton Park as Tottenham beat Portsmouth 2-1. With Harry Redknapp also returning to his old club for the first time since his acrimonious departure, the game was always going to be a feisty one, and Michael Brown also saw red late on for two bookable offences. Spurs took the lead on the half-hour mark when the superb Ledley King towered above everyone in the box to header home a Niko Kranjcar corner, but Aruna Dindane was guilty for an awful miss with the score at 0-0. Defoe then doubled the visitor's lead on the stroke of half-time as he poked the ball past David James from close range after good work from Jermaine Jenas. Kevin Prince-Boateng pulled one back for the home side with a powerful half-volley that beat Heurelho Gomes at his near post, before former Pompey favourite Defoe was sent off for a stamp on Aaron Mokoena, and Brown was shown his marching orders late on. Pompey fans could buy "Judas" banners outside the ground, although Redknapp's arrival at the dug-out was fairly understated. Flanked by one steward, he applauded the fans and took his seat. In the Portsmouth ranks Younes Kaboul, Boateng and Brown were the former Spurs players, while Jamie O'Hara was ineligible due to the terms of his loan. Defoe showed there was no love lost when he crashed into Boateng in the opening minute.

Determined

Defoe had missed England duty with a hand injury and appeared determined to make up for lost time. He went on an early run and forced David James into a save with low drive, then after nine minutes he raced onto Tom Huddlestone's through ball and smacked the near post. Pompey's threat came through Boateng. His corner led to Aaron Mokoena glancing a header wide, then he had a go himself from the halfway line and cleared Gomes' crossbar. After 12 minutes came the moment that will haunt Dindane - Tommy Smith's precise cross cut through the Spurs defence and Gomes, but Dindane hacked over from inside the six-yard box. It was a huge let-off for the visitors. Gomes then ensured the scores stayed level when he pulled off a stunning save from Kaboul's free-kick. Kaboul's drive flicked off Smith to wrong-foot Gomes but the Brazilian re-adjusted and clawed the effort over the crossbar. Despite Pompey's pressure and chances, Spurs were ahead just before the half-hour mark. Kranjcar swung over a corner from the right and King, just back from a hamstring injury, climbed above Mokoena and Kaboul, with his headed finish taking advantage of indecision from James. The second goal came on the stroke of half-time. Jermaine Jenas exchanged passes with Huddlestone and crossed for Defoe to tap home his 10th of the season for club and country.

Fightback

Pompey attempted to find a way back into the game and felt they could have been awarded a penalty when Vedran Corluka appeared to handle in the penalty area following a mix-up with Gomes - but referee Phil Dowd waved play on. Mokoena, who was booked for a foul on Jenas, also tried his luck from long range but went wide with his powerful effort, while Smith forced another fine save from Gomes with a lob. Crouch was the next to receive the jeers from home supporters when he came on for Robbie Keane - but the Pompey fans then had something to cheer about when Boateng pulled a goal back. Steve Finnan's cross found him unmarked at the far post and Boateng lashed into the near post. Pompey were given real hope when Defoe was given a straight red for a stamp on Mokoena. The forward may not have wanted to inflict serious damage but replays suggest it was deliberate. Gomes kept his side ahead with a stunning save to deny Hassan Yebda towards the end and Frederic Piquionne flashed a header across the face of goal, before Brown was dismissed, for two bookings, in stoppage-time.

Portsmouth	Team Statistics	Tottenham Hotspur
1	Goals	2
0	1st Half Goals	2
8	Shots on Target	3
11	Shots off Target	7
5	Blocked Shots	3
10	Corners	9
18	Fouls	16
6	Offsides	1
2	Yellow Cards	3
1	Red Cards	1
76.4	Passing Success	73.4
25	Tackles	33
84	Tackles Success	75.8
49	Possession	51
56.2	Territorial Advantage	43.8