‘Cheap’ Defoe has last laugh on Pompey

THERE is nothing ambiguous about Aaron Mokoena’s approach to his role as Portsmouth’s midfield enforcer and the South African was similarly forthright in the way he chose to describe Jermain Defoe’s “embarrassing” stamp that almost ruined Harry Redknapp’s return to Fratton Park.

It was supposed to be Portsmouth’s furious supporters who were determined to cast a cloud over Redknapp’s first visit to the club since he quit the club last season, not one of his own players.

Yet bewilderingly, it was Defoe who did more to ensure an uncomfortable afternoon for the manager than any number of bitter chants targeted at the visitors dug-out, when he was sent off immediately after Portsmouth had established a foothold in the game.

With friends like that, Redknapp was entitled to ponder, who needs enemies?

Like Redknapp, Defoe was returning to the club he left in favour of a move to White Hart Lane. And like Redknapp, the England striker was left in no doubt that his decision to leave has left him persona non grata on the south coast.

But that was little excuse for the petulant act that will now see the striker suspended for three games and could see him sidelined for even longer if Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane – disappointing before being substituted – and possibly Roman Pavlyuchenko, can take advantage of his absence.

“It was a good decision by the referee,” claimed Mokoena. “We know Jermain, He’s a committed player. But that one was out of this world.

“It was a bit embarrassing. Yes, you can go for tackles but not like that. It’s embarrassing. I’m very good in tackles and in nailing people but it’s all about your timing and not trying to injure players.

“It was a cheap shot. You can’t do that in this league. It’s just crazy. I had a chat with him after the game and he thought that I was going to nail him first. But I was going there to get the ball. There was nothing I did wrong. So it was a bit cheap from him.”

Mokoena claimed he could have been seriously injured by Defoe’s actions, but the Spurs player’s wounded pride probably hurt enough for the both of them.

Redknapp admitted he had implored his players, and Defoe in particular, to keep their heads during a predictably testy game and revealed he tore a strip off the forward after the game. “I gave him a rollicking in front of all the lads, to be fair,” said the manager.

Earlier, Defoe had showcased the other side of his game when he completed a well worked move with a close range finish that gave Tottenham a two-goal lead at half-time.

At that point there seemed no way back for Paul Hart’s side who still, alarmingly, have as many points as they have had owners this season.

Hart though, despite the obvious deficiencies in his side, could never be accused of allowing his team to roll over and it was to his and his players credit that they took the game to Tottenham, reduced the deficit through Kevin-Prince Boateng’s excellent 59th-minute finish, and finished the game on top.

Had Aruna Dindane not missed two glaring opportunities and Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes not produced three excellent saves, things may well have been very different. Michael Brown’s added time dismissal for a second yellow card won’t help next time, either

Unfortunately for Hart, that is rapidly becoming the story of Pompey’s season while Spurs took another significant step towards consolidating their standing as genuine top four contenders.

A glance at the bench revealed a depth to Redknapp’s squad that suggests they can overcome injuries and, more pertinently right now, suspensions and with Jonathan Woodgate close to a return, they should grow even stronger.

“There is more steel in the squad this season,” said defender Ledley King, who headed Tottenham in front in the 29th minute. “You only have to look at Tottenham away in previous years and there have not been that many wins, but our record this time shows we have improved in that department, and we can get results away from home.

“I think that will be the difference between us being able to push into the top four. It is going to be a tough, tight league this year, and every team is dropping points, so it’s a good day for us overall.”

REFEREE: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire) 7: Had no option but to send Defoe off and Brown is always a red card waiting to happen. Kept control in difficult circumstances.

MATCH RATING: **** Fierce rivalry tends to produce a decent game, but the entertainment at Fratton Park owed as much to Portsmouth’s spirited fight-back as the back-drop of controversy.