He may have the kind of face you hang over the fireplace to keep the kids back from the flames this Christmas and he may have an interesting approach to fostering inter-naval town relationships yet there is no denying there is something about Harry and Portsmouth that created a little extra spice in this Monday night fixture. Would Harry?s return alone spark enough within the Pompey ranks to bring high flying Spurs down to size?
If the first 20 minutes were anything to go by then the answer would have been an emphatic no as Spurs totally dominated possession and only poor finishing, mostly from Keane, stopped the Lilywhites from establishing a comfortable lead. What then happened in the 24th minute is now becoming a frequent occurrence at Spurs games, falling behind to a wonder goal against the run of play (see also: Sunderland, Bolton etc.). In fact so familiar is this occurrence now that it would be hard to even suggest that the home fans were stunned into silence as the strike was greeted with an air of inevitability, seemingly well predicted after the opening minute?s frustration of having not capitalised on their dominance.
The goal itself was a volley from 30 yards out, angled arrow like across the goal by the capable Lua Lua. Being highly critical Robinson had a fair amount of time to see the shot coming and better positioning and footwork may have provoked a save. Clearly Lua Lua?s traditional celebration was far more gymnastic on this occasion than Robinson?s movement. In next year?s world cup Robinson will face players even more capable than the inconsistent Lua Lua and will need to ensure that he is more aware and better placed for such possibilities from distance.
Portsmouth frustrated Spurs for the rest of the half and into the second, and even after the inevitable Spurs equaliser came, a bullet downward header from Captain King in the 57th minute, the men in blue did everything in their power to frustrate Spurs and the home fans with a series of time consuming antics. Ironically King probably had a better game in the attacking sense as the sturdy Vincent Pericard deployed as a lone front man gave the Spurs defence plenty to think about with his robust approach.
The game ultimately hinged on a referring decision and another dubious penalty at the lane awarded to the home side yet it would have been harsh on Spurs to have not taken full points from this fixture with Portsmouth adopting such a negative approach to the game. Despite constant pressure, Portsmouth remarkably held out at 1-1 until the 85th minute when substitute Andy Reid?s first touch was to take a free kick from the edge of the Portsmouth box which hit the facing wall of players only for referee Uriah Rennie to point to the spot. The decision seemed harsh despite the obvious contact with the arm of the jumping O?Neill, TV replays were inconclusive as to whether or not the contact was intentional, and Portsmouth Manager Harry Redknapp bemoaned the decision as having cost his side the game. What followed was a moment of comedy as Mido seemed to elect himself as the penalty taker with the only recently deployed Defoe seemingly not keen to take the kick. At one point Edgar Davids appeared to be asking Mido ?are you really sure?? and the nervousness was clear amongst the crowd at Mido?s new found role. Mido duly despatched the kick, albeit only narrowly past the fingertips of Ashdown.
With time running out Defoe found the kind of form he demonstrated earlier on in the season, picking up the ball in a seemingly harmless position on the edge of the box only to dance elusively past two flat footed Pompey defenders to fire the ball between Ashdown?s legs from the narrowest of angles. If this goal re-ignites Defoe?s season Spurs will be well placed to maintain their current lofty 4th position through the festive programme.
Head Coach Martin Jol commented after the game on his side?s never-surrender winning mentality, particularly identifying Edgar Davids in midfield as a key player in the game.
Player Ratings
1. Paul Robinson 6
At fault for first goal.
5. Edgar Davids 9
Player of the match
6. Teemu Tainio 7
Spirited performance, cut short by injury.
7. Paul Stalteri 7
Solid enough.
10. Robbie Keane 5
Finishing needs to be better, took a while to find his touch too.
15. Mido 6
Still needs to find the energy for a full 90 minutes, should win more in the air.
16. Young-pyo Lee 7
Reliable.
20. Michael Dawson 8
Solid performance, growing in stature with each game.
23. Michael Carrick 9
At the heart of everything Spurs did creatively.Only bettered by Davids on the night.
26. Ledley King 7
Great goal, struggled with Pericard
28. Jermaine Jenas 7
Very good at times, but needs to make sure he is in the game more.
18. Jermain Defoe 7
Looked lively when came on, great finish for the 3rd.
19. Andy Reid 6
Largely anonymous apart from involvement in 2nd goal
Struggled to find pace of the game in a more tucked inside position. Needs more games to build match fitness.