Defoe delighted with Pompey debut

Debutant Jermain Defoe was Portsmouth’s hero with the equaliser that checked Chelsea’s winning run at Fratton Park but the £7.5m striker admitted he should probably have done more to inflict defeat on Avram Grant’s side in a 1-1 draw.

The England forward, who was a deadline-day signing from Tottenham, equalised in the 64th minute after Nicolas Anelka had opened the scoring 10 minutes after half-time.

But he felt he had three other chances to make it a dream debut on the south coast.

“We could have won it in the end, although I think that would have been a bit rough on Chelsea,” said Defoe.

“I thought I would score again when I got through and chipped it over the keeper. Unfortunately it dropped just wide.

“I had another chance earlier and got tackled. Then I lifted my head and put one over the crossbar – but although you’ll always regret things like that I’ll take the one goal and I’m happy.

“I’ve come here to score goals and help the team get three points every week. Hopefully that’s just the start but we showed today we have a lot of quality in the side.

“Chelsea had chances too but I thought we matched them all the way and that’s really encouraging. They are a very good side even with their missing players.”

Pompey manager Harry Redknapp praised Defoe’s performance, which made him an instant hit with the home fans, but singled out former Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra as his star man.

“Jermain did well and took his chance. He’ll score lots of goals for us and he could have had some more today but it was a great game and a good result for us,” said Redknapp.

“We’ve taken a point off all the top four here this season and we’re looking a strong side even without the four African boys (Papa Bouba Diop, Kanu, John Utaka and Sulley Muntari) who are still away.

“And Diarra is a top player. I thought his performance was absolutely fantastic – and that’s three just like that in a row since he walked in the place a couple of weeks ago.

“Milan Baros worked his socks off as well for us.

Grant, the former Portsmouth technical director who has presided over just two defeats in 31 matches since succeeding Jose Mourinho, said: “I thought we created the better chances but Portsmouth are a difficult side to face and they did well.

“Harry is very good at getting them going and they are strong side, but of course we are not so happy when we don’t win.

“Nicolas Anelka showed a great finish to put us ahead and he’s always had that kind of touch in front of goal. He’s not going to lose it here but Defoe took his goal well for Portsmouth as well.”

Defoe seized his opportunity to become Pompey’s new hero with former favourite Benjani Mwaruwari locked in a stalled £8million move to Manchester City while the Premier League try to sort out issues over paperwork involving the transfer.

“I feel he (Benjani) is the biggest loser in all this but hopefully it will be resolved in the next few days,” added Redknapp.

“I don’t even know the fee we’ll get for him going and I never really wanted to lose him.

“But these are the kind of things you have to do if you want to buy a player like Defoe and still balance the books.

“You’ll never meet a nicer boy than Benjani and he gave everything for the club. I really feel for him after what’s happened.”