Defoe on target as Spurs make winning start

Portsmouth 0 Tottenham 2

A Danny Griffin own goal paved the way for a Tottenham victory over Portsmouth which was lit up by an electric display by England striker Jermain Defoe.

Pompey had looked comfortable until Egyptian striker Mido ran on to a Defoe through-ball in first-half stoppage time before letting Andy Griffin challenge him with a desperate sliding tackle.

Griffin’s determination had unforeseen consequences as he took the ball not only away from Mido but also goalkeeper Sander Westerveld who could only look on as the ball rolled past with just enough strength to cross the line.

Up until that point, Pompey had ruled the roost with their six new signings outshining Spurs who had three new boys of their own but lacked the significant figures of Edgar Davids and Ledley King.

The visitors should still have gone ahead after just four minutes when another of their newcomers, Wayne Routledge, was left unattended in front of goal but his shot was bravely stopped by Westerveld.

However, the former Liverpool keeper had no chance with Griffin’s own goal and it was a breakthrough that improved Tottenham in ideas and mind.

They soon took control of the second half and Mido, in after Robbie Keane had pulled out injured, and Defoe combined again to give the England striker a 63rd-minute clincher.

A few minutes after a furious row between the pair in the penalty area when Mido’s pass failed to get through, they were celebrating.

Defoe was on to a lovely through-ball quick as a flash and rounded Westerveld to slot the ball in.

Westerveld made a good first impression when he saved Wayne Routledge’s close-range shot in only the fourth minute.

The Pompey crowd had their first chance to see a free-kick in their favour from Laurent Robert when Lomana LuaLua was finally awarded a free-kick – 30 yards out – for Teemu Tainio’s terrier-like attentions, but the Frenchman chipped his effort straight into Paul Robinson’s arms.

Gregory Vignal escaped cover down the left to run clear on LuaLua’s pass in the 28th minute and sent in an excellent cross when challenged but Mornar’s stretch, under pressure, just could not make contact in front of goal.

Routledge fired wide for Spurs from a half-chance volley and Defoe had a low drive comfortably smothered by Westerveld before another Tottenham new boy, defender Paul Stalteri, read the danger perfectly as Azar Karadas tried to get in at the other end on a John Viafara pass.

Another Pompey cross went begging when Robert, seizing on Vignal’s pass, could not quite pick out a striker in the centre but Spurs’ defence was looking vulnerable to raids down the flanks and well-delivered crosses.

Tainio clumsily took out Vignal in the 37th minute, the latest of a string of offences by the debut-making Finn and, unsurprisingly, he was booked. Andy Reid later joined him.

Spurs were under pressure all right but that is when Pompey have been known to relax and it happened again when Tottenham stole the lead.

Pompey, to their credit, opened the second half with much zest, Vincent Pericard going on as substitute for Ivica Mornar in his first appearance for two years after knee trouble.

But with Robert making little impression on set-pieces and LuaLua seemingly running out of steam, you always suspected a Spurs revival.

Defoe led the way and could have had two more goals after his impressive strike but for splendid saves by Westerveld.