Match Report

Tottenham v Portsmouth 05 February 2005

Mido magic for Spurs

Tottenham 3 - 1 Portsmouth

There have been many false dawns at Tottenham but against Portsmouth they showed a challenge for silverware could be on the horizon after a 3-1 win.

New striker Mido cancelled out Diomansy Kamara's opener and then added his second before substitute Robbie Keane added gloss to a polished performance with a classy third late in the second period.

The extensive scouting network implemented at White Hart Lane by Frank Arnesen brought the talents of Andy Reid and Mido in the January window and both were handed debuts by coach Martin Jol.

Mido looks the type of striker capable of adapting to the physical rigours of The Premiership; tall, athletic and not shy to put himself about.

Within the first few moments and with Spurs dictating the pace of the game with some tidy interplay, the ball was set up for the big Egyptian but on this occasion he could only fire high.

Working the flanks with industry, Mido then delivered a devilish cross which Dejan Stefanovic did well not to turn into his own goal at the near post.

The opening quarter was largely played in Portsmouth territory but when the visitors broke they did so with considerable purpose.

First the powerful and awkward Yakubu Aiyegbeni forced Ledley King into a fine tackle on the edge of his own box and in their next foray they were ahead.

Patrick Berger's corner was lashed across goal and after Stefanovic's decoy run caused panic, Kamara was on hand to glance a clever header past Paul Robinson from close range.

Last season Spurs may have chased the game but under Jol there appears to be a greater confidence to pass and move rather than punt and chase.

With Jermain Defoe and Mido complementing each other with the type of understanding displayed by all effective little-big-man partnerships, the home side always looked likely to improvise a leveller.

Defoe looked longingly at the match official after being tugged in the box by Stefanovic and then on 34, six minutes after Kamara's opener, Mido delivered the type of finish his approach play had hinted at.

Wales international Simon Davies forayed down the right and with Portsmouth's defence taking an unnecessary high line, Mido sneaked in to ram a header past Konstantinos Chalkias.

Mido, now revelling in his status as Tottenham's latest strutting cockerel, was undoubtedly the star attraction but Portsmouth were not without their moments.

Kamara, bright and finally looking capable delivering a final product, rounded Robinson to net but saw his effort rightly chalked off for handball - in what was the final incident of note in a bright first half.

After the interval and Spurs were entirely dominant, camped in Pompey's half primarily due to the relentless wing play of Reid and Davies.

Defoe saw a snapshot blocked and then Mido showed a wonderful touch for a big man to turn adroitly on the edge of the box and fire a clever effort that Chalkias did well to hold.

With Tottenham passing with a crisp intensity there was a sense of inevitability that they would take the lead and when a goal duly did arrive, the scorer was also no surprise.

Sluggish defensive play presented possession to Defoe and after turning Matthew Taylor inside out, he fired the ball across goal and Mido was on hand to rifle home from a yard.

Tottenham's goal did little for Chalkias' nervous disposition and the erratic Greek spent the rest of the game flying off his line to the consternation of his back four.

Portsmouth responded by introducing Riccardo Fuller, while Mido was replaced by Robbie Keane after receiving a rousing reception on his way to the bench.

On several occasions this term Portsmouth have fallen to narrow defeats away from home and whilst they were not outclassed by Tottenham, their inability to change tactics again proved decisive.

Yakubu turned well to get in a snapshot but in truth, like much of Portsmouth's attacking play, his effort proved punchless.

Defoe should have netted a third for Tottenham when left unattended and then Reid almost added a debut goal of his own but the width of the post denied him.

Mido may be the new King of the Lane but Keane is unlikely to be usurped without a fight and on 78 he netted the most sumptuous of goals.

The clever schemer picked up a long ball from Reid with a deft touch and from the edge of Pompey's box lobbed home a majestic effort from left to right, to send Spurs fans home happy.

Report from Sky Sports