Tottenham L.King Celebrates vs Portsmouth
Tottenham Hotspurs kept up with the Barclays Premier League leaders with another away win against Portsmouth. The 1 – 2 away win puts them at third spot with 19 points after 9 games. 3 points behind leader Manchester United and 2 points behind second spot Chelsea.
The trip to Pompey was H. Redknapp’s first visit after leaving Portsmouth. Along with the likes of J.Defoe and P.Crouch, who also made their first return trip to Fratton Park after their short stint there.
Two goals in the first half secured Spurs the win. Ledley King, coming off his injury, headed in the first goal. A. Lennon’s hard work on the right side gave Spurs a corner just before the 30 minute mark. Tottenham’s new signing N. Kranjcar floated in a highball. L. King majestically rose above every one else to nod the ball home past an indecisive D. James.
Tottenham Defoe Celebrates vs Portsmouth
Minutes later, J. Jenas made short work of the Pompey defense as he combined with Tom Huddlestone just outside the penalty box. J. Jenas then squared a low shot into the box. J. Defoe made sure that he managed to touch the ball with his toe to put Spurs in front by two goals.
Portsmouth came back more lively in the second half. Former Tottenham, K.P. Boateng cut the deficit with a strong volley from the left that finally beat a seemingly unbeatable H. Gomes.
The Spurs keeper, basically single handedly kept Spurs from losing the 3 points they had. If not for the heroics of H. Gomes, Spurs would have probably lost their 2 goal cushion. It was indeed a night of superb goal tending by Gomes. Even when it seemed like the ball would go in after he was wrong footed by a diverted attempt at goal. Gomes somehow managed to get a hand to swipe the ball away from goal.
J. Defoe saw red in the second half after stumbling down with Pompey’s A. Mokoena. An act which he has apologized for doing. A purely worthless act which could have costs Spurs the three points they were hanging on to.
Spurs is certainly putting on a strong challenge for the title, so far, this season. They have been able to find it in them to win games even when they are missing their playmaker L. Modric. If the team continues to play this way, then a top four finish is certainly within their reach.