West Ham grateful for Green fingers

HARRY REDKNAPP has another three points, but only on his driving licence after West Ham’s Robert Green stirred the England goalkeeping debate by saving a stoppage-time penalty from Benjani Mwaruwari.

Green’s heroics at Fratton Park prevented Portsmouth notching their fifth consecutive Premier League win and climbing into the top four.

Redknapp was convicted of a speeding offence on Friday after being caught on camera last April doing 8mph over the limit on the M27 in his Mercedes returning from an after-dinner speaking engagement.

He did not contest the decision and there is no ban, but he has imposed one on his Zimbabwean striker, who will not be taking any more spot-kicks after Green plunged to save his tame, side-footed effort five minutes into injury time.

Redknapp is a big fan of Benjani but admitted he “gave him a rollicking” afterwards for taking it upon himself to take the penalty.

But he added: “I felt bad having done that. Benji has been brilliant, he’s the league’s top scorer with seven goals and felt confident to take it but I must have ruined his weekend when I told him off.”

Redknapp’s weekend also got worse when he had to pull out of the Great South Run after damaging a calf muscle during preparation for his charity participation.

But he watched David James sound the hooter to start the race in Portsmouth knowing that his goalkeeper, after recently being recalled to the England squad at 37, could now lose his place in the international squad to man-of-the-moment Green.

Green says he is ready for the England call if it comes.

He said: “I did okay again and I’m in good form but as always it is up to the manager who he picks and I’ll lose no sleep over it.”

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley, who may rest Green from his team’s fourth-round tie at Coventry on Tuesday and hand the gloves to deputy Richard Wright, has already ruled out striker Craig Bellamy with a groin injury.

The Welshman had abdominal surgery last month and Curbishley said: “Craig’s injury isn’t too bad but there’s still something niggling.”

PORTSMOUTH (4-4-1-1): James 6, Johnson 7, Campbell 6, Distin 7, Hreidarsson 7, Utaka 7 (Kanu 77, 5), Diop 7, Mendes 6, Muntari 6, Kranjcar 7, Benjani 6.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Lauren, Taylor, Pamarot.

WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 8, Neill 6, Gabbidon 5, Upson 6, McCartney 6, Solano 5 (Spector 78, 5), Noble 5, Mullins 5, Boa Morte 4, Bellamy 5 (Etherington 45, 6), Cole 6 (Ferdinand 90, 5).

Subs Not Used: Wright, Camara.

REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral) 6: Overly fussy and angered West Ham with his penalty decision, although replays suggested he may have got it right.

MATCH RATING: ** Not one of Pompey’s more vibrant displays this season but West Ham were still lucky to escape with a point.