Toothless Tottenham go down to fourth defeat of season
Sunday, 28 Sep 2008 21:05
Juande Ramos took charge at White Hart Lane less than a year ago.
Tottenham remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
A penalty from Jermain Defoe against his old club and Peter Crouch's second-half strike means Spurs are still without a league win this season, cranking up the pressure on boss Juande Ramos.
Lassana Diarra was sent off the in the closing minutes for a second yellow but it was not enough to spoil Pompey's day as they climb to eighth spot while Spurs have two points from their first six games.
Ramos left Darren Bent and Luka Modric on the bench while Harry Redknapp's men were boosted by the return of Diarra and Glen Little.
Despite Spurs dominating possession, Pompey carved out the better chances with keeper Heurelho Gomes plucking out a cross to deny Peter Crouch with the striker heading over the bar minutes later.
Gomes continued to foil the home side with a fine save to keep out Richard Hughes' volley from a corner.
Pompey's possession paid off on 34 minutes when they were awarded a penalty when Jermaine Jenas stuck his arm out to block a free-kick, with Defoe smashing the spot-kick into the right-hand corner.
With David Bentley continuing to disappoint with his distribution, the visitors created little with Roman Pavlyuchenko firing an effort from 25 yards well wide while Jenas opted to pass instead of taking a shot with the goal at his mercy, allowing Pompey to clear the danger.
Ramos brought on Aaron Lennon at half-time and the winger should have been awarded a penalty when his cross struck Diarra's arm but referee Mike Dean gave a corner.
But Portsmouth capitalized on some woeful defending to make it 2-0 on 68 minutes when Armand Traore lashed in a shot which was parried by Gomes, with Crouch tapping in the rebound.
Giovani Dos Santos and Bent were eventually hauled on with the latter firing a left-foot shot over the bar in the closing minutes while Lennon's curling effort was tipped away by David James as Pompey held on.
Diarra was sent off after being given a second booking for a lunge on Benoit Assou-Ekotto on 88 minutes, though it made little difference as Pompey strolled to victory.