FA BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST, 2005
PORTSMOUTH 0 (0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (1)
Scorers:-
Griffin (o.g.), 45
Defoe, 64
Referee: - Barrie Knight
Attendance: - 20,215
Teams:-
Portsmouth (4-4-2):- Westerveld; Griffin, O’Brien, Stefanovic (Capt.), Vignal; Mornar (sub Pericard, 46), Viafara (sub Taylor, 68), Hughes, Robert; Karadas (sub Mbesuma, 76), Lualua
Subs not used: - Ashdown; Skopelitis
No Bookings
Spurs (4-4-2):- Robinson (Capt.); Stalteri, Dawson, Gardner, Edman; Routledge (sub Mendes, 72), Tainio, Carrick, Reid; Mido (sub Kanoute, 82), Defoe
Subs not used: - Cerny; Naybet, Kelly
Booked: - Tainio, Reid
Victory at Portsmouth! Alright, I know it’s a bit of a naff headline, but Spurs have waited since November 1956 for a League win at Fratton Park, and till Pompey’s third Premiership season for even a goal, never mind a win! This was also Spurs first away win on the opening day of a season since August 17th, 1996, when Chris Armstrong scored both goals in a 2-0 win at Blackburn, where we go for our next away trip!
Today, I’ve heard the expression “winning ugly”, and I’ve heard some warped southern journalist’s views on the radio. Spurs did not play well in the first half, being too easily harried and hassled off the ball, and out of their comfort zone (Routledge in particular struggled to find his form and composure). Having gone in at half-time with a fortuitous own-goal lead, thanks to one of three Newcastle imports – Andy Griffin – I thought they never really looked like conceding, bossed the second half, without creating too many chances themselves, and were easily deserved winners. If that’s “winning ugly”, I’ll take it every time!
Spurs could claim a number of absentees, including the high-profile Ledley King and Edgar Davids. Robbie Keane had also turned his ankle at a late stage, and was therefore unavailable for the bench, which is surely where he was destined, with Mido and Defoe seemingly the first choice of strike partnerships at present for Martin Jol. Jol’s faith in Michael Dawson and Anthony Gardner at centre-back, with Nourredine Naybet propping up the bench was justified with what I thought was a confident performance from the pair. Paul Stalteri looked solid at right back, with ample pace to recover positions which looked lost (and that against Robert on the left wing), whilst Edman did not get caught out either. Spurs problem in that first half lay in the middle, where Carrick was struggling to assert himself, Routledge got knocked off the ball too easily, Reid’s passing was woeful, and Tainio was the main source of strength and creativity.
Alain Perrin’s team, featuring a number of fresh faces such as Andy O’Brien, Robert, left back Gregory Vignal, Viafara and Kadaras was keen to make a good start, but will need a while to settle down and bring home the bacon for the ever-enthusiastic Pompey fans. Portsmouth have fixtures coming up that they should see as opportunities, but I fear that by the time the big guns arrive at this dingy ground where away fans get soaked in conditions such as today’s persistent driving rain, the runes will already be suggesting a long hard season ahead.
There was an early chance for Jermain Defoe collecting a short back-header, but new keeper Westerveld was out sharply to gather the ball. Things were looking good for Spurs after 3 minutes, when the ball was squeezed through the defence to Routledge on the right side of the area, after a nifty build-up involving Tainio and Mido. Again, Westerveld was equal to the shot, which was only half-struck.
Pompey’s first chance came from a corner after 17 minutes, which Lualua met with a glancing header going wide across the area. By this time referee Barrie Knight was also “enemy of the people” (Portsmouth people that is), as he turned down their numerous screamed appeals for fouls and decisions in their favour. Much as Knight has irked us in the past, he stood firm against any potential influence from the home crowd.
Andy Reid disappointed with a free kick taken outside the box, after Defoe had been fouled. It was poorly hit and 4 yards wide of the mark. After 23 minutes, Reid did provide some creativity, with a cross headed on by Mido, leaving Defoe time and space to pick a shot, which he sadly under-hit and fired wide. Spurs had had some decent chances but failed to impose themselves. Robert at least got a free kick on target which skipper for the day Paul Robinson collected with ease. Defoe had another opportunity on the half hour, created by Reid, which again he did not hit well, into the arms of the keeper.
Spurs profited just before the half-time whistle, when Defoe pushed the ball towards Mido, who was just beaten to the ball by Griffin, who stuck a foot out and prodded the ball beyond the helpless Westerveld. Mido claimed the goal, but the Spurs fans behind the goal knew who had the final touch, and happily gloated over the lead. After the break, Portsmouth replaced Mornar with Pericard, who was quite a handful in the early stages, being of beefy build. However, after an initial flurry of activity his influence and that of most of the home side diminished, as Spurs midfield settled better on the ball, eventually stroking it around with ease.
Jol was happy to only commit Reid and Routledge to support the front two with Tainio occasionally getting forward, and it was beginning to look like a typical away performance with few risks being taken. Robinson was tested and saved well, diving low to his right when Vignal’s long distance drive was badly deflected away from the keeper’s planned position, but the game looked secure when Jermain Defoe collected a great pass from Mido, deep on the left, Westerveld had committed by coming to the very edge of his area, and Jermain rounded him with ease, firing low into the net from the left of the area.
By this time, the stair-rod rain prevented note-taking for a mere amateur hack like me, but the chances were few and far between anyway. Defoe brought a good save from Westerveld ten minutes before the end and in added time there were chances for substitute Mendes and Portsmouth’s Mbesuma, but by this time, the army of 2,000 sodden Spurs fans were already celebrating a fine start to a season which holds out real hope to all who follow the Lilywhite and Blue.
“Winning in the rain!
Winning in the rain!
What a Glorious feeling!
I’m hap-hap-happy again!”
· Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
· Read the preview for this game.
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