Tottenham Spurs returned back to wins as they defeated Portsmouth by two goals to one. The game witnessed the return of Berbatov to selection after his recovery from groin injury and so, Ahmed Hossam Mido started and remained on bench. The other Egyptian Hossam Ghaly played from the start in midfield and did well throughout the game.
Danny Murphy broke the deadlock as early as the first minute before Jermaine Defoe doubled the lead from a debatable spot-kick.


Nwankwo Kanu pulled one back for Portsmouth before the break but the hosts held on to their slim lead.


Tottenham coach Martin Jol opted for a striking partnership between Dimitar Berbatov and Defoe.




The Egyptian striker Ahmed Hossam Mido was reportedly left on the bench for his taunting remarks about Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell.


Hossam Ghaly made it to the starting line-up, playing on the right flank and was instrumental alongside Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora.


Tottenham's second victory from seven matches this season moved them up to 13th place with seven points, leading Newcastle United on goal difference.


Portsmouth remained fourth with 13 points.


The huge crowd at White Hart Lane waited only for 39 seconds to celebrate the opener when veteran midfielder Murphy poked home benefiting from a defensive mix-up.


In the 35th minute, Zokora darted inside the area from the right flank before falling down under a challenge from Tiago Mendez and earning a penalty-kick.
Kanu narrowed the gap five minutes from the interval when he towered to head a right-flank cross at Tottenham Paul Robinson.


Game Card:


Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda (Huddlestone 45), Dawson (Davenport 81), King, Assou-Ekotto, Jenas, Murphy, Zokora, Hossam Ghaly , Berbatov (Keane 73), Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Ahmed Hossam Mido .
Goals: Murphy 2, Defoe 35 pen.

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Stefanovic (Taylor 64), O'Neil, Davis (Mwaruwari 64), Pedro Mendes, Kranjcar, Kanu (Cole 72), LuaLua.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Pamarot.

Goals: Kanu 40.
Att: 36,063

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).




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