Spurs 2 Pompey 1

This was my first visit to the Lane this season and it was good to be back. Spurs ended last season in 5th place and was their most successful in years. All the fans believed they would carry on as they left off but it's been a disastrous start with 1 win, 1 draw and 4 losses so far, with only 2 goals scored and in 17th place. Better news is that we've got through the first round of the UEFA Cup ok beating Slavia Prague 1-0 home and away.

So today, kick off was at 4pm. We left home at 1pm, in plenty of time you would think but unfortunately we hit traffic on the M25 due to an accident. We arrived at 3pm, parked up and then walked about a mile to meet up with Debs and Mick at the Bell & Hare.

The atmosphere was fantastic at the start of the game, the fans getting right behind the team. After just 42 seconds, Defoe crossed for Berbatov whose downward header was saved by James on his line. However, the ball squirmed out and Berbatov touched it for Murphy to flick home from two yards. YAY! What a great start! Spurs were on top for most of the first half and on 34 mins, were awarded a penalty. Zokora burst forward, played a one-two with Defoe and into the box, looked to turn inside Mendes, and was tripped. Defoe stepped up, David James dived the right way but the strike had enough power to nestle into corner. 2-0! The tide suddenly changed after that and we let Portmouth pass the ball around more comfortably. Not too surprisingly, following a cross, Kanu was left free and headed in a goal on 39 minutes.



Into the second half, Spurs seemed to have a lack of enthusiasm and looked lazy. Berbatov in particular, was dire. Not one of his headers or passes went to a team mate. Pompey were allowed more and more chances but fortunately, their shooting was off. They didn't look like a team who were unbeaten so far this season. Robinson was the hero in injury time with a great reaction save, following a deep cross from Mwaruwari which was met by Lua Lua's head at the far post. Phew! We managed to hold on for a win and 3 very valuable points. Hopefully this will be the kickstart we need so badly. Although the football was not too pretty, the points are what matter at the end of the day.

10:30pm. Having just watched Match of the Day 2, I am quite appalled that in fact Zokora dived in the penalty area; Mendes didn't actually touch him, yet was awarded a penalty. The penalty may have been in my team's favour (and Lord knows we needed it) but I hate to see players do this to gain advantage. It is cheating and I think any player found guilty after the game should be punished. This has never been Spurs way in the past; they have always been a fair play team so I sincerely hope I don't witness it again.