Portsmouth 1 Tottenham 1
A half-time reshuffle and Steed Malbranque's header into an empty net rescued a 1-1 draw for Tottenham at Fratton Park, but Martin Jol's side are still suffering Premiership travel sickness after just one away win all season in the league.
They deserved credit, though, for a gallant fightback after Portsmouth conjured a goal out of nowhere to go head just before the half hour through recalled striker Benjani Mwaruwari.
In the end, David James' goalkeeping athleticism was needed to deny the disappointing Jermain Defoe and the highly promising Tom Huddlestone, although Linvoy Primus was near to another unlikely winner in the last few minutes for the Harry Redknapp's team.
In an undistinguished first half Spurs looked likelier winners and former favourite Sol Campbell had to produce a smart block to deny the dangerous Dimitar Berbatov a clear shot after the Bulgarian had earlier gone close with a header and then laid on a chance for Hossam Ghaly with a blistering left-wing run and cross.
Matt Taylor's last-ditch tackle prevented a goal and Pompey were thankful after a sluggish start despite the return of their two main strikers Kanu and Benjani
But, as so often, they produced a goal out of nothing - this time from their first direct shot at goal after nearly half-an-hour.
Benjani, who has been out with hamstring trouble, and has an unwanted reputation as a misser of chances, received the little bit of luck he needed when returning to the side in tandem with Kanu.
After taking substitute Niko Kranjcar's pass in space he saw his shot fly in off the belated challenge of Tottenham's Calum Davenport, deputising for the injured Ledley King.
Spurs looked stunned because it was the first genuine threat to their defence, but six minutes later they were almost handed a gift equaliser when Campbell left it to Taylor to clear from the edge of the area after hunting down Defoe's run at goal.
Alarmingly, the midfielder who has shown a recent penchant for scoring, swiped his effort dangerously near James' far post for a corner.
It was probably nearer than any Tottenham player had managed so far despite their early dominance and it was a rarity for James when he was called upon to pluck Ghaly's cross out of the air just before half-time.
Egyptian Ghaly, who had lost four teeth when caught on the head by former Spurs defender Noe Pamarot's wild tackle in the opening minutes, did not come out for the second half.
Spurs, who had no place for their other Egyptian, striker Mido, in the squad, sent on the versatile Murphy for the second half to aid the attacking efforts of Berbatov and Defoe.
All changed after the break, with James having to keep out Davenport's shot following a lack of control for once by the talented Berbatov as Huddlestone's cute cross came swirling in.
But the 6ft 5in keeper was helpless to prevent Malbranque heading into an empty net for Tottenham's equaliser in the 50th minute, courtesy of Murphy's spot-on cross.
Until the galvanising force of veteran Andy Cole sent on in the 73rd minute - it was Spurs who ruled the roost, with James forced into two more superb stops.
He kept out Defoe's drive after a lively run and then Huddlestone's vicious low shot near the foot of a post.
In the end, though, it was yeoman defender Primus - a two-goal Boxing day hit-man against West Ham - who had the best chance to win it with a header over the angle from Taylor's cross.
Tottenham manager Martin Jol described as 'cynical' the high challenge by Portsmouth defender Noe Pamarot which left Egyptian winger Hossam Ghaly with four teeth missing and nursing a split lip.
Jol said: 'I asked the referee and he said it wasn't a foul but when I looked at it again (on tape) I thought it was cynical.
'I know Pamarot and he is a terrific lad, exceptional, but not when he is on the pitch. Ghaly was unbelievable. I thought at first the doctor told me he lost his false teeth but he was really saying four teeth.
'Most people would have gone to hospital and stayed there a week with that injury but he went back on to play and it was only later I noticed some dangerous signs and took him off again for the second half.
'If I had known the full extent of the injury I would never have let Ghaly go back on but I took notice of my doctor. I always do that.'
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp rejected Jol's claims over Pamarot, who moved from Spurs to Portsmouth a year ago in a £7million triple transfer along with Pedro Mendes and Sean Davis.
Redknapp said: 'That is nonsense. It was a pure accident. Pamarot hasn't got a cynical bone in his body and often I wish he was a bit more aggressive. Cynical ? Is that what is being said. I don't think so.
'I am sad the poor kid lost a few teeth but what can you do?'
Jol said: 'Although we played some very good football at times in the first half you get nothing without spirit and determination which we showed in the second half.
'Murphy did well again after his performance against Liverpool on Saturday when I thought we were unlucky to lose.
'It is good to get a point here because Portsmouth are so good at set-pieces but I thought we had four or five possibilities to score and their goal came from their first shot on target.
'We are doing okay. We are missing players like Ledley King and Robbie Keane and now Ghaly will be out. But when players like Davenport show character and determination like today you can get by.
'I don't know if I will buy anybody in the transfer window but if I had been told at the start of the season we would be in the top seven in the semi-final of the Carling Cup and had won six games in Europe out of six at this stage I would have taken that.'
Redknapp said: 'Benjani worked hard and deserved his goal but David James was fantastic. If he is no longer in the England squad then there must be something wrong.
'After Robinson the other England keepers are lads who cannot get places in their own club teams like Liverpool and Manchester United and are out on loan. He is still the best keeper I've worked with.
'The team did well after a hard game on a heavy pitch at Bolton on Saturday and our aim is still to stay as high up the table as possible.'
They deserved credit, though, for a gallant fightback after Portsmouth conjured a goal out of nowhere to go head just before the half hour through recalled striker Benjani Mwaruwari.
In the end, David James' goalkeeping athleticism was needed to deny the disappointing Jermain Defoe and the highly promising Tom Huddlestone, although Linvoy Primus was near to another unlikely winner in the last few minutes for the Harry Redknapp's team.
In an undistinguished first half Spurs looked likelier winners and former favourite Sol Campbell had to produce a smart block to deny the dangerous Dimitar Berbatov a clear shot after the Bulgarian had earlier gone close with a header and then laid on a chance for Hossam Ghaly with a blistering left-wing run and cross.
Matt Taylor's last-ditch tackle prevented a goal and Pompey were thankful after a sluggish start despite the return of their two main strikers Kanu and Benjani
But, as so often, they produced a goal out of nothing - this time from their first direct shot at goal after nearly half-an-hour.
Benjani, who has been out with hamstring trouble, and has an unwanted reputation as a misser of chances, received the little bit of luck he needed when returning to the side in tandem with Kanu.
After taking substitute Niko Kranjcar's pass in space he saw his shot fly in off the belated challenge of Tottenham's Calum Davenport, deputising for the injured Ledley King.
Spurs looked stunned because it was the first genuine threat to their defence, but six minutes later they were almost handed a gift equaliser when Campbell left it to Taylor to clear from the edge of the area after hunting down Defoe's run at goal.
Alarmingly, the midfielder who has shown a recent penchant for scoring, swiped his effort dangerously near James' far post for a corner.
It was probably nearer than any Tottenham player had managed so far despite their early dominance and it was a rarity for James when he was called upon to pluck Ghaly's cross out of the air just before half-time.
Egyptian Ghaly, who had lost four teeth when caught on the head by former Spurs defender Noe Pamarot's wild tackle in the opening minutes, did not come out for the second half.
Spurs, who had no place for their other Egyptian, striker Mido, in the squad, sent on the versatile Murphy for the second half to aid the attacking efforts of Berbatov and Defoe.
All changed after the break, with James having to keep out Davenport's shot following a lack of control for once by the talented Berbatov as Huddlestone's cute cross came swirling in.
But the 6ft 5in keeper was helpless to prevent Malbranque heading into an empty net for Tottenham's equaliser in the 50th minute, courtesy of Murphy's spot-on cross.
Until the galvanising force of veteran Andy Cole sent on in the 73rd minute - it was Spurs who ruled the roost, with James forced into two more superb stops.
He kept out Defoe's drive after a lively run and then Huddlestone's vicious low shot near the foot of a post.
In the end, though, it was yeoman defender Primus - a two-goal Boxing day hit-man against West Ham - who had the best chance to win it with a header over the angle from Taylor's cross.
Tottenham manager Martin Jol described as 'cynical' the high challenge by Portsmouth defender Noe Pamarot which left Egyptian winger Hossam Ghaly with four teeth missing and nursing a split lip.
Jol said: 'I asked the referee and he said it wasn't a foul but when I looked at it again (on tape) I thought it was cynical.
'I know Pamarot and he is a terrific lad, exceptional, but not when he is on the pitch. Ghaly was unbelievable. I thought at first the doctor told me he lost his false teeth but he was really saying four teeth.
'Most people would have gone to hospital and stayed there a week with that injury but he went back on to play and it was only later I noticed some dangerous signs and took him off again for the second half.
'If I had known the full extent of the injury I would never have let Ghaly go back on but I took notice of my doctor. I always do that.'
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp rejected Jol's claims over Pamarot, who moved from Spurs to Portsmouth a year ago in a £7million triple transfer along with Pedro Mendes and Sean Davis.
Redknapp said: 'That is nonsense. It was a pure accident. Pamarot hasn't got a cynical bone in his body and often I wish he was a bit more aggressive. Cynical ? Is that what is being said. I don't think so.
'I am sad the poor kid lost a few teeth but what can you do?'
Jol said: 'Although we played some very good football at times in the first half you get nothing without spirit and determination which we showed in the second half.
'Murphy did well again after his performance against Liverpool on Saturday when I thought we were unlucky to lose.
'It is good to get a point here because Portsmouth are so good at set-pieces but I thought we had four or five possibilities to score and their goal came from their first shot on target.
'We are doing okay. We are missing players like Ledley King and Robbie Keane and now Ghaly will be out. But when players like Davenport show character and determination like today you can get by.
'I don't know if I will buy anybody in the transfer window but if I had been told at the start of the season we would be in the top seven in the semi-final of the Carling Cup and had won six games in Europe out of six at this stage I would have taken that.'
Redknapp said: 'Benjani worked hard and deserved his goal but David James was fantastic. If he is no longer in the England squad then there must be something wrong.
'After Robinson the other England keepers are lads who cannot get places in their own club teams like Liverpool and Manchester United and are out on loan. He is still the best keeper I've worked with.
'The team did well after a hard game on a heavy pitch at Bolton on Saturday and our aim is still to stay as high up the table as possible.'
posted by dgarden at 8:21 am
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