Spurs leave it late to edge past Pompey at the Lane
Saturday, 22 Mar 2008 15:21
Bent came off the bench to score a vital goal for Spurs
Late goals from substitutes Darren Bent and Jamie O'Hara helped
Tottenham Hotspur overcome a defiant
Portsmouth side 2-0 at White Hart Lane.
Spurs had dominated the first half but were having a frustrating time in the second half before two goals in as many minutes ended Pompey's stoic resistance.
Manager Juande Ramos again decided to push three strikers on in search of a win and his gamble paid off as Bent scored the first and set-up the second.
Despite the wintry conditions Spurs played some cohesive football in the first half and repeatedly found space down the flanks.
However their final ball into the box meant that much of their possession was wasted. The chances they did create mostly came from set pieces.
Pascal Chimbonda went close when Pompey failed to clear a corner and David James had to be alert to stretch ahead of the Spurs defender to clear.
Chimbonda then went close with an excellent volley which flashed past James' post.
All Pompey could do was play on the break and they nearly exposed Spurs when James released John Utaka with a long ball. He fed Sean Davis who chipped Paul Robinson but the Spurs keeper got back in time to tip over the bar.
Before the break Michael Dawson rattled the crossbar when another Spurs corner fell invitingly, but Portsmouth survived and went into half time level.
The visitors managed to thwart Spurs' attacking intentions in the second half which led to few chances being created as Harry Redknapp's side concentrated on keeping Spurs at bay.
As in the first half Pompey created one clear chance, this time Kanu heading past Robinson before Didier Zokora got back to clear off the line.
The introduction of Bent and O'Hara enhanced Spurs and they got reward for the endeavour when the former Charlton man headed Dimitar Berbatov's mistimed shot past James. Bent then set-up O'Hara to tap home for Spurs' second.
The defeat means Portsmouth were unable to close the gap to
Everton in the chase for fifth place.