Tottenham 6 Reading 4

Dimitar Berbatov scored four times in a crazy Premier League clash at White Hart Lane, where Tottenham edged Reading to the points 6-4 in a thriller.

The visitors held the lead three times in the second half after goals from Kalifa Cisse, Ivar Ingimarsson and a double from Dave Kitson.

But Berbatov's strikes were the difference, with Steed Malbranque and Jermain Defoe grabbing the others.

Both sides went into the clash with a reputation for thrilling matches - and this dramatic topsy-turvy match was up there with Reading's 7-4 defeat against Portsmouth.

Reading's team bus was held up in traffic and their squad had to be phoned through - but there was no delay in the action when play got under way.

The opener came in the seventh minute from a move started by Malbranque playing through Robbie Keane down the right flank.

Keane instinctively crossed first time and Berbatov squeezed between defenders and tapped in.

The equaliser came nine minutes later after Berbatov fouled Kevin Doyle on the halfway line.

Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson called to claim Nicky Shorey's free-kick and tried to punch as Younes Kaboul looked to clear. The ball fell limply to Cisse and the midfielder stabbed in the rebound from the edge of the area.

'Get out of my way,' screamed Robinson at his defenders after the goal. It was not in his hall of shame, but he was at fault.

He had to stay alert as Stephen Hunt's cross almost deceived him shortly afterwards and he had to tip over the bar.

Bobby Convey was almost given a sight of goal when Pascal Chimbonda lost the ball, but Kaboul got back to clear the danger.

Ingimarsson was equally careless for Reading in first-half stoppage-time, allowing Berbatov to cross - but Keane went with his wrong foot with the goal at his mercy and the chance went begging.

Kitson had a shot early in the second half and despite being awarded a corner, his effort had struck team-mate Doyle before spinning to safety.

Keane turned Ibrahima Sonko at the other end and claimed he was hauled to the floor in the area - but play was waved on.

Reading went ahead in the 53rd minute after Kaboul was forced to slide in to block a shot from Kitson. Shorey's corner found Ingimarsson, who was unmarked and thumped his header past Robinson for 2-1.

They could have extended the lead in their next move, Cisse's shot finding its way to Kitson through on goal - but the striker checked onto his favoured foot and Robinson cleared.

Spurs head coach Juande Ramos responded by taking off skipper Ledley King, who is still working himself back to full fitness, for Defoe.

The hosts looked exposed with a centre-back short and Robinson had to save from Hunt at full-stretch when Reading broke. Then Kitson blazed wide.

However, they were level in the 63rd minute when Defoe scampered down the right. His cross was weak, but Graeme Murty failed to clear and Berbatov lashed into the roof of the net.

Inevitably it was from a set-piece that Reading took the lead again to go 3-2 up. Kitson stole in at the near post and headed in Shorey's corner.

But Berbatov levelled in the 72nd minute when he hooked in his hat-trick after Chimbonda headed down Jenas' corner from the right.

There was no sign of the pace stopping. Kitson raced through and chipped Robinson to make it 4-3, but Malbranque curled into the top corner to restore parity.

And Spurs were ahead again with 12 minutes remaining when Sonko brought down Keane in the area. Marcus Hahnemann saved Keane's spot-kick, but Defoe slid in with a diving header to tuck away the rebound.

Berbatov scored his fourth in the 83rd minute, chasing a hopeful long ball and crashing in a volley from the edge of the area.

For all the effort, Spurs move up one place in the table, replacing Reading in 12th.

• Ramos makes Berbatov plea

Juande Ramos has asked Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to do everything possible to keep Dimitar Berbatov at White Hart Lane after the striker's four-goal haul against Reading.

'He made a great contribution against Reading. Magnificent,' said the Spurs head coach. 'He is a very valuable player for us. But I cannot assure that he is going to stay at the club because the chairman has to decide that.

'The chairman knows I want Berbatov to stay. If it was up to me we would not lose him but there are different circumstances and factors that we have to take into account such as the player's opinion and feelings.

'If it was up to me he would continue with us.'

'It's obvious we have to score six or seven away from home to get a result,' said Reading boss Steve Coppell. 'It's massively disappointing and it feels like there is a hole in your life almost.'

Steed Malbranque scored the next equaliser when he curled into the top corner, then Jermain Defoe came off the bench to head in the rebound after Robbie Keane had missed a penalty.

'You have four officials, Keane takes a penalty and Defoe is standing next to him,' said Coppell. 'It may not have made a difference because he would have to retake it, but the goal should not have been given because the scorer was three yards in the box when he took the kick.

'That gives him a hell of a start over a 12-yard race. I would have got there with three yards head start.'

Kevin Dillon, in Reading's backroom staff, appeared to be sent to the stands for his protests.

Berbatov scored his fourth, wrapping up the scoring, when he latched onto a long ball from Younes Kaboul and lashed past Marcus Hahnemann.

'The match was 90 minutes of crazy football,' Ramos added. 'It was very uncomfortable for me to experience that as a manager. There have been a couple of matches where we have been losing but the team always reacts.

'At 4-4, when we scored the fifth and six, we were established up front and deserved to win. It was a great match for the fans to watch but it's not great for a manager to experience.'

Coppell blamed individual defensive errors.

'You take the lead three times and score four goals - you play a full attacking part in a game but individual defensive mistakes cost you,' he added.

Tottenham 5 Fulham 1

Ledley King made his long-awaited comeback from injury as Tottenham plunged 10-man Fulham into further relegation trouble with a rout at White Hart Lane.

King has been beset by injuries during the last 18 months - it was Boxing Day last year that he picked up a foot problem and he has had knee surgery and a thigh strain since.

Statistics point to Spurs having a greater chance of victory with their skipper in the team - and defeat did not look a prospect after Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone put them ahead before the break.

Keane was the cast as the villain on Saturday for missing a penalty against rivals Arsenal but he added another goal in the second half after Clint Dempsey had pulled one back.

Huddlestone and Jermain Defoe scored to complete the scoring and Moritz Volz was dismissed for Fulham.

But for all for the attacking power of Spurs - it was King in defence that was the talk of north London.

Former Spurs boss Martin Jol bemoaned the fact he was denied King's services for a significant time of his reign.

With a turn in results since Juande Ramos took, King's first appearance of the season offered a late Christmas present for Spurs fans.

He was able to settle back into the defence as Fulham struggled to get behind the hosts - when they did King executed two perfectly-timed tackles on Dempsey in the first half to announce his comeback.

There were a couple of shaky moments but King will probably not have an easier afternoon for the rest of the season.

Dempsey had an early shot that flew over the crossbar but Fulham never looked like ending their miserable away form. It is more than a year since they have won a Premier League game on the road.

Caretaker boss Ray Lewington has tried to implement more of a passing game but Fulham did not look threatening with this approach - Lawrie Sanchez's profile was in the matchday programme and his imprint was all over the team.

There was a lack of intensity for the first part of the clash, and only Spurs midfielder Steed Malbranque distinguished himself as an attacking threat.

Jeered by away fans, the former Fulham midfielder was at the heart of most attacks and helped spark the match into life.

Antti Niemi had to save at full-stretch when Dimitar Berbatov headed Malbranque's cross towards the bottom corner - but Spurs were not made to wait long for their opener, in the 27th minute.

Pascal Chimbonda's header found Malbranque in plenty of space on the edge of the area. His shot crashed off the post and Keane tucked away the rebound with a first-time finish.

Keane has been on an amazing run of form, which all started last season against Fulham in the FA Cup last February. From there he scored 29 goals since in 39 games.

The opener appeared to deflate Fulham and their only promising move before the break saw Simon Davies' shot screw wide towards the corner flag.

Malbranque almost finished off a flowing move from the hosts but could not get power on his header - then the second goal came in first half stoppage-time.

Malbranque's cross was tamed by Berbatov and laid back to Huddlestone. Niemi was unsighted and the midfielder's daisy-cutter deceived him.

Fulham were granted a lifeline on the hour mark when Dempsey bundled in from close range.

Hameur Bouazza, a half-time substitute, had his cross met by Dempsey - his first effort was saved by Paul Robinson but the rebound came off the American's arm and trickled in.

But the two-goal cushion was restored a minute later when Keane tapped in with his knee after Berbatov had flicked on Jamie O'Hara's corner.

Lewington responded by bringing on David Healy for Aaron Hughes, while Berbatov was given a breather and Kevin-Prince Boateng was introduced.

Huddlestone added the fourth with 19 minutes remaining, flicking up Aaron Lennon's pass and volleying into the far post from the edge of the area.

With the points safe, King was then taken off for Adel Taarabt for the rest of the victory.

Volz was dismissed late on for two bookings, then Defoe's goal came when Huddlestone powered through and laid the ball back to the substitute.

• Ramos lifts lid on fitness drive



Juande Ramos has revealed how he slimmed down his Tottenham players to get them out of relegation trouble in the Premier League.


The Spaniard saw the weight of some of his players as a problem when he arrived in October but his regime has seen them coast out of trouble - and they defeated Fulham 5-1 in the early Boxing Day clash.


Tom Huddlestone was one of the players ordered to lose pounds and he showed the results by scoring twice at White Hart Lane.


'We are happy that the team has players that have slimmed down - they are obviously a lot lighter now,' said Ramos. 'The team appreciates this because we needed this to happen.'


Huddlestone in particular has shown progress in the fitness department.


'Tom's weight worried us a lot at the beginning but you could see that he is making a real effort to be fit enough,' said Ramos. 'You can see the results now.


'He was magnificent. His ball control and touch, he's had a really good performance today and he's participated a lot in the match.


'I don't know how much weight Tom has lost but we have it on record.'


Ramos still allowed his players to have turkey on Christmas Day.


'Turkey is a very healthy food and is one of the things that is recommended,' he said. 'It's what goes with it that is different - potatoes and alcohol!'


Despite the attacking power Spurs showed, it was Ledley King's first appearance of the season that gave the home fans the biggest cheer. King has endured a wretched 18 months with injury. It was a year ago that he picked up a foot problem and he has undergone knee surgery since.


'He's still getting better,' said Ramos. 'He's not 100% yet but we needed him to play today because we did not have enough defensive players.


'His performance was good overall and it's obvious he has experience which he has brought to the team. It is good to have him back on the pitch.


'To have a players like Ledley in defence is great because of the international experience he brings and he knows the team very well. Physically he needs to adapt to the rhythm of the matches.


'Tomorrow we will have a look at him and how his knee is getting on. It depends on how he comes out of this game as to whether he can play again during the week.'


Fulham had Moritz Volz dismissed for two yellow cards, and caretaker boss Ray Lewington feels his side lacked a physical edge.


'If they play like that they will get relegated but I hope they won't,' said Lewington. 'Everything that could go wrong went wrong today.


'We are realistic to know that the performance was good either. We've got to put it right.'


Lewington, who will prepare the team for Saturday's clash against Birmingham, has been pleased with the effort of his players but admits the squad may need additional players in January.


'When I was told last week it was a case of getting on with until told someone else is coming,' he said.


'I'm taking it that I am in charge for the weekend, I've organised what we are going to do tomorrow and the day before the game. If they make a change before then, fine. I would have accepted it straight away.'


He added: 'It's easier if you recruit, I'm not saying they necessarily have to. It also depends what other people do.'

Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1

Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner scored the winner with his first touch as Tottenham wasted a glorious chance to finally beat their rivals by losing 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Dimitar Berbatov had cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's opener before earning a penalty - only for Robbie Keane to see his spot-kick saved by Manuel Almunia.

The Barclays Premier League leaders, who have not lost to Spurs since 1999, then grabbed the winner in the 76th minute when Bendtner was brought on.

This was billed as the campaign Spurs were to launch their challenge to Arsenal dominance, although those hopes quickly faded this season and Juande Ramos was brought in as head coach.

Ramos' tactic was to ask his makeshift team to contain the league leaders and hit them on the break.

Such is the injury crisis at White Hart Lane, Jamie O'Hara was given his first start. The 21-year-old was on the books at Arsenal as a trainee before joining Spurs and he was on loan at Millwall earlier in the season.

He, Steed Malbranque and Kevin-Prince Boateng fizzed around the midfield looking to break up Arsenal attacks - and it initially worked as the first half saw only half chances.

The Gunners had their first sight of goal in the second minute when Mathieu Flamini hooked a volley that went just the wrong side of the angle of post and crossbar.

Kolo Toure also got a header on target from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick - but neither of the early chances troubled Paul Robinson.

Spurs' early threat came from Aaron Lennon on the right wing. He curled in a cross that Bacary Sagna needed to head clear as Keane looked to pounce.

Arsenal were stifled in terms of early chances, but they were enjoying the majority of the ball and looked to break by using Fabregas.

A promising run for Lennon was halted by referee Rob Styles failing to play advantage when the England winger was fouled but remained on his feet.

Lennon and Gael Clichy's battle of pace was one of the more interesting match-ups in a first half-hour when chances proved difficult to come by.

Robinson was finally forced into a save, at his near post from Emmanuel Eboue, who had recovered from knee and ankle problems.

Gunners skipper William Gallas picked up a yellow card for a foul on Berbatov, but the striker wasted the free-kick, with Almunia saving easily.

Boateng then curled an effort just over the bar when Lennon laid the ball to him on the edge of the penalty area.

Robinson had to save when Toure got on the end of Fabregas' corner just before the break.

If Arsenal looked short on ideas in the first half, they were quickly into gear after the restart and opened the scoring in the 48th minute.

Tomas Rosicky fed Fabregas on the edge of the penalty area and the Spaniard backheeled to Adebayor. The Togo striker curled the ball around Robinson for his sixth goal against Spurs in just over a year.

Fabregas then tried his luck from long-range as the atmosphere intensified.

Boateng took his frustration out on Alexander Hleb from behind and was replaced by Tom Huddlestone on the hour.

Keane volleyed against the crossbar from point-blank range after Lennon had lofted a cross to the far post - but the equaliser came a minute later in the 66th minute.

Keane held the ball up on the touchline before backheeling to Berbatov. The Bulgaria striker took a touch and squeezed his shot through Toure and Flamini at the near post.

Then came Keane's chance to put Spurs ahead after Berbatov was tripped by Toure. Almunia dived the right way and got enough on the ball for it to go to safety.

Wenger responded by bringing on Bendtner for Eboue in the 74th minute and his goal came seconds later when he rose to head Fabregas' corner home.

Adel Taarabt had a late penalty shout turned down as Arsenal held on to extend their lead at the top.

Adebayor: Spurs gave us a fright

Emmanuel Adebayor admitted Arsenal had been pushed all the way after they claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over north London rivals Tottenham.

Adebayor scored the opened shortly after half-time following an exquisite back-heel fro Cesc Fabregas.

Adebayor told Sky Sports 1: 'It was a tough game, in the first half it was very difficult.

'We opened the scoring but Tottenham did well and came back.

'We won, it was the most important thing.

'Today's game was to fight to the end and we had to show the fans that.

'We are going to celebrate very well but focus and win as many games as possible.'

Almunia admitted his penalty save was down to guesswork rather than studying Keane's spot-kicks.

'It was guess work. It's intuition, lucky, I don't practice too much.'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also admitted Spurs had proved tough opposition.

The Frenchman said: 'It was difficult. I believe we were a bit flat in the first half and not at our best. Tottenham played well.

'In the second half I think we dominated from the start but at 1-0 up maybe we wanted too much to keep the result.

'Tottenham played a good game and came back to 1-1. But then Manuel saved the penalty and it was a mental blow for them.

'We got another goal but it was a tough game.'

Spurs assistant manager Gus Poyet admitted he had expected Keane to convert the penalty as the Irishman is normally successful from the spot.

'Everybody was thinking about that,' he said. 'Unfortunately Robbie didn't score today but even after that we weren't expecting to lose the game.'

Poyet also admitted Spurs were hugely deflated after the defeat.

He added: 'That is the problem, that is why we are a bit disappointed because it was a perfect game for us to get some points.'

Carling Cup - Man City 0 Tottenham 2

Juande Ramos saw his 10-man Tottenham side book their place in the Carling Cup semi-finals and end Manchester City's proud 100% home record with a 2-0 win.

Goals from Jermain Defoe and Steed Malbranque either side of Didier Zokora's sending off gave them a hard-earned victory.

Former Sevilla coach Ramos is quickly making his mark at White Hart Lane and Spurs are in sight of a trophy in his first season in charge.

This was their second away win on a tough ground inside three days following the defeat of Portsmouth.

City went into the game looking to extend their 100% record in all competitions to 11 games but suffered their first defeat at the ground under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Tottenham took the lead in the fifth minute following a swift break that caught City flat-footed.


• Ramos: Spurs' best yet

Jermaine Jenas released Aaron Lennon with a clever through ball and he quickly delivered it into the area, where Defoe swept his close-range effort beyond Hart and into the corner.

Spurs carved out another good chance six minutes later when Lennon picked out Steed Malbranque but his effort was charged down.

Tottenham though were reduced to 10 men in the 21st minute when Zokora was sent off, for what referee Steve Bennett perceived was a lunge at Elano.

Ramos then decided to shake things up and brought on Teemu Tainio for a clearly disgruntled Defoe.

Despite being down to ten men, the visitors continued to push forward.

Dimitar Berbatov made space for himself outside the area only to see his shot take a deflection and go over the bar.

City hit back and Elano squandered a great chance of equalising in the 33rd minute after good work by Garrido and Martin Petrov.

The Brazil midfielder, back after a three-match absence because of a hamstring injury, got a good first touch - but he then sent his effort from close range wide of the post, to groans from the home fans.

City were coming more into the game as half-time approached and Johnson hooked his effort over the top after Bianchi had headed Petrov's delivery back across the area.

Tottenham had carried little threat following Zokora's sending off which prompted Ramos into a tactical reshuffle.

With Defoe sacrificed, Berbatov was employed on his own up front - and the Bulgarian was putting in a hard shift.

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson was called into action for the first time in the 53rd minute and responded superbly.

He showed quick reflexes to get up quickly and turn over a header from Darius Vassell after a cross from Vedran Corluka.

Tottenham again found themselves on the back foot on the hour when Petrov found space in the area - only to clear the bar with his effort.

But the visitors continued to look dangerous on the break, despite being a man light.

Robinson again reacted superbly in the 78th minute to parry a header from Bianchi as City went in search of the equalising goal.

However with the home side pushing forward Tottenham added a second goal in the 82nd minute to make sure of their place in the last four.

It was a superb individual effort from the former Fulham midfielder, who drew Hart out of his goal before clipping a shot into the corner.

• Ramos: Spurs' best yet

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos gave top marks to his 10-man team as they secured a place in the Carling Cup semi-finals at the expense of their hosts Manchester City tonight.


While Ramos was dismayed at referee Steve Bennett dismissing his centre-half, he was thrilled at the way his players responded.


Speaking through an interpreter, he said: 'It is a positive result and sets us up for the rest of the season.


'To come away with a 2-0 victory will stand us in good stead and help the mind-set of the players.


'Given the circumstances, it has to be the best performance since I took charge.


'We were away from home against a team like Manchester City, who are high in the league and on a good run of form at home.


'Not only that, we were a man down from the 20th minute yet still managed to get through. We got our just rewards.'


Zokora was dismissed for lunging at Elano, but Ramos said: 'It wasn't a sending-off, not in a game like this.


'A cup tie generates a heated atmosphere, and the referee has to be a bit more flexible. It was unfair.'


Defoe was unhappy at being sacrificed, with defender Teemu Taino drafted into the action.


It meant Dimitar Berbatov being employed as a lone striker -and the Bulgarian put in a solid shift.


Ramos said: 'Defoe understands the change was tactical. He knows we had to bring on an extra defender.'


It was City's first defeat at home under manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, and the Swede could not hide his disappointment.


With new striker Nery Castillo looking on after sealing a year-long loan move from Shakhtar Donetsk, Eriksson's side looked jaded.


He said: 'The players and the fans, like myself, are all very disappointed.


'We thought being at home we had a good chance of reaching the semi-finals, but Tottenham started very well.


'We got away with it at 1-0. In the second half we controlled the game - but we could not score.'

Portsmouth 0 Tottenham 1

Tottenham v Portsmouth
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Dimitar Berbatov notched an 81st-minute winner to claim Tottenham's first away league win of the season and leave Portsmouth cursing their inability to score at home.

The 1-0 loss was Pompey's first home league defeat since March and the end of their 11-match unbeaten run as they failed to take the opportunity to climb into the top four with a lack of punch in front of goal.

Manager Harry Redknapp switched tactics in the second half and brought on £6million substitute David Nugent for the last 20 minutes in place of last week's two-goal hero Sulley Muntari.

But Berbatov had already spurned at least one good chance to give Spurs the lead and they just about deserved their second league win in a row for new manager Juande Ramos.

Pompey had failed to score in three previous home games - all goalless draws - and despite six successive away wins their nervousness in front of the Fratton faithful showed in John Utaka's tame finish after only five minutes.

Pedro Mendes looked to have set up the lead when, ignoring Pompey fans' familiar appeal to 'shoot', he clipped a delightful ball through to give Utaka a much better opportunity which the Nigerian scuffed rather lamely at keeper Paul Robinson.

Pompey were without Kanu, who had returned home to attend his father's funeral, and they looked short of fire-power even against a patched-up Tottenham defence in which Didier Zokora filled in at centre-back for Michael Dawson.

Errors at the back by Younes Kaboul and Jermaine Jenas encouraged Portsmouth, but the home side were also sloppy in defence when Tottenham forced a corner and Berbatov was left with a free header which he could not direct on target.

It took Niko Kranjcar and Noe Pamarot to stop a marauding run by Berbatov down the right after Spurs were beginning to look dangerous.

When Steed Malbranque concluded a sharp passing move with an inviting pass for Darren Bent - again preferred in the starting line-up to Jermain Defoe - he curled his 20 yards shot just over.

Kaboul did well to clear up when Muntari sparked a useful Pompey raid on the right and within seconds Aaron Lennon was away providing a cross to Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose clear shot produced an instinctive parry by David James. Malbranque followed up to net the loose ball but was clearly offside.

Pompey were lucky to escape minutes later. Johnson's curving cross from the right needed only a touch by Kranjcar to score a goal - but the ball flew straight through to nestle in Robinson's arms.

And when Muntari's purposeful run set up a shot for Diop, a crucial deflection off a defender carried it just over the Spurs crossbar.

Pompey piled on the pressure and Robinson was grateful to grab a free kick from Muntari which fizzed straight through the wall.

Bent and Berbatov - still without the suspended Robbie Keane - were guilty of over-elaborating up front for Spurs.

But Spurs did enough to prompt Pompey boss Redknapp to make a significant change for the second half, sending on Sean Davis for the already-booked Mendes and switching from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.

Lennon's lightning pace on the right, allied to a splendid cross, gave Bent a glimpse early in the second half, but James was off his line to palm the ball away.

And Pompey even gave rarely-employed Nugent a run, but his best effort was a header over the bar from a corner and a clatter on Robinson which earned a rebuke from referee Martin Atkinson.

Berbatov might have won it for Spurs in the 69th minute when, after being slipped in from the left, he went past the advancing James but could not control his second touch.

However, he made no mistake nine minutes from the end.

Again Lennon's pace and vision was key - a perfect ball clipped over Sol Campbell's head for the Bulgarian to stroke home unopposed at the far post.

Pompey battled manfully to pull it back, but sub Defoe almost made it two with a shot against the outside of a post.



• Ramos getting message across

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos believes his team are finally beginning to understand the way he wants them to play after Dimitar Berbatov's 81st-minute winner at Portsmouth brought their first Barclays Premier League away success of the season.


The victory came on the back of last week's 2-1 triumph over Manchester City and Ramos' decision to again leave match-winner Jermain Defoe on the bench was justified when Berbatov put away his third good chance to claim his sixth goal of the campaign.


It ended Portsmouth's 11-match unbeaten run and Ramos said: 'We have to recognise it was a success for the whole team, not just one player. We had chances earlier to kill the game and did not take them. Berbatov had one or two.'


Speaking through an interpreter the Spaniard added: 'I'm very happy because it is important to win two matches in a row and it is a path we must continue to follow.


'We have been playing 4-3-3 sometimes but now 4-4-2 and I think the players are beginning to understand what we must do.


'We decided to stick with an attacking way despite the fact our defence was weak again. Michael Dawson had to go to hospital before the game with problems in his head. We think it is a migraine.'


Spurs again played midfielder Didier Zokora in defence, gave Kevin-Prince Boateng, their £4.5 million signing from Hertha Berlin, only his second league start and handed Jamie O'Hara, 21, his debut as substitute in the last 17 minutes.


But they were rarely threatened by a Portsmouth side who have now not scored in their last four home matches - despite six away wins on the spin.


And manager Harry Redknapp admitted: 'We just didn't get started today. It's got to be our worst performance of the season. And we got what we deserved - which was nothing.


'To be fair, I always thought it was a dangerous game. If you look at Tottenham's squad there is a lot of quality there. They are the one team who should be pushing to get into the top four if anyone can.


'They showed today they are capable of doing it. Why they haven't all this year I don't know, but today they did play well.


'We've got to be realistic, though. This is our first home defeat of the season and we've got 30 points - I don't care whether these points come home or away. We've been on a great run, a fantastic achievement but if you look at Spurs they've got quality.


'We've drawn tough games at home - and good ones away. There's no magic formula involved but we didn't help ourselves today. The best team won.


'We went 4-4-2 in the second half to have a go but we weren't any better than when we were 4-5-1.'


Redknapp knows he faces a tough Christmas period with games away to Liverpool and home to Arsenal and unless he can get in some loan players could be down to 13 first-team squad players when he loses four to the African Nations Cup in January.


Another casualty, meanwhile, is defender Noe Pamarot who had to come off with a damaged hamstring and may face an extended absence.

Tottenham 2 Man City 1

Jermain Defoe showed Sven-Goran Eriksson what he was missing at last year's World Cup by coming off the bench to earn Tottenham a 2-1 win and deny Manchester City a place in the top four.

Eriksson famously chose to take Theo Walcott rather than Defoe to Germany - and Defoe gained some sort of revenge at White Hart Lane.

With Spurs' top scorer Robbie Keane out for another two matches through suspension, he also offered head coach Juande Ramos an indication he is ready to step in.

The victory left City furious as they thought Spurs' opener was illegal.

Pascal Chimbonda looked offside when he broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time and even if it was not a punch that would have troubled City fan Ricky Hatton, the full-back did appear to use his arm.

Rolando Bianchi came off the bench to level matters in the second half but hopes of victory faded when Stephen Ireland was given a straight red card for a lunge on Young-Pyo Lee.

Defoe's winner came a minute later in the 83rd minute.

To rub salt in the wound, City knew they would have been back in the top four of the Barclays Premier League with a point.

But they were without the influence of Elano, the Brazil playmaker having failed to recover from a hamstring complaint, so their creativity came from Martin Petrov on the left wing.

Petrov's delivery from the flank went some way to explain why Dimitar Berbatov wanted his Bulgaria team-mate at White Hart Lane this summer.

However, with £8.8million striker Bianchi on the bench, Petrov only had Darius Vassell to aim for initially, giving Younes Kaboul time to settle after getting dropped for the midweek UEFA Cup clash against Anderlecht.

However, the young French defender's passing range was awful, and he was nowhere to be seen for City's equaliser.

At the other end, Darren Bent was wasteful. Berbatov's silky touches sent Bent through on goal in the ninth minute but Andreas Isaksson rushed out to save with his feet.

Javier Garrido picked up a booking for tripping Aaron Lennon, and from the resulting attack Berbatov was on the floor but managed to clip the ball through to Bent. He snatched at his shot with Jermaine Jenas waiting with an open goal in front of him.

Berbatov was full of invention, drilling a cross for Steed Malbranque to sweep a shot towards goal but Richard Dunne got himself in the way of the effort.

City showed pace on the break when Kelvin Etuhu, making his first start for the club, smashed into the side-netting, while Michael Johnson was patrolling the midfield area with authority on his return to action.

The opener came on the stroke of half-time, with Berbatov getting fouled on the touchline by a combination of Gelson Fernandes and Vedran Corluka. Jenas drilled the corner, Berbatov flicked and Chimbonda angered City with the finish off his arm - he also appeared to be standing in an offside position.

Eriksson responded by bringing on Bianchi for Etuhu just before the hour mark, with the substitute making an instant impact.

Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson would have been braced for a busy spell but he also had time to banter with the City fans, who dubbed him ``England's number four'' after his recent troubles at international level.

He could do nothing about Bianchi's equaliser, the Italian striker rising to thump home a header from Petrov's corner.

City were putting Spurs under intense pressure and Lee had to make a last-ditch clearance from another Petrov cross. Petrov also fizzed a long-range effort just wide.

The game turned when Ireland was given his straight red card by Mark Halsey for a slide on Lee.

Defoe grabbed the winner from the free-kick, with Malbranque curling a cross off the post and the substitute smashing the rebound between Micah Richards' legs.

• Sven reveals Ireland tackle regret

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson got an immediate apology from Stephen Ireland after showing him a replay of his horror challenge that turned the game against Tottenham.

Ireland was given a straight red card by referee Mark Halsey for his lunge at Young-Pyo Lee, with Jermain Defoe grabbing the 83rd-minute winner from the free-kick which followed.

'When I saw it from the bench I thought it was harsh but looking at it in the dressing room I don't think we should complain about it,' said Eriksson after the 2-1 defeat. 'We should accept it.

'I took him in front of the laptop and when we saw it together there was nothing to say. Of course, he apologised and is sorry.'

Ireland has been no stranger to controversy this season, with the infamous 'Grannygate' saga while on international duty and also dropping his shorts after scoring against Sunderland.

But Eriksson is confident Ireland's unpredictable streak will not threaten his career.

'Stephen Ireland is a young, very good football player, and he will get better and better,' said the Swede.

'He should not have done the tackle but he did it - a week ago Robbie Keane did something similar and was sent off. They are great footballers. Sometimes adrenaline goes inches too high. It's not a problem, he plays a heavy price for it.'

Ireland's tackle, though, arguable cost City the point they needed to go back into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

Rolando Bianchi had cancelled out Pascal Chimbonda's controversial opener.

Chimbonda appeared to be offside when he nudged in the game's first goal.

Even if it was not a punch that would have troubled City fan Ricky Hatton, the full-back did appear to use his arm to divert Dimitar Berbatov's flick on the stroke of half-time.

'It's nothing to discuss, the referees in this country are honest and always try to do their best,' Eriksson said.

Bianchi was brought on just before hour mark and made an instant impact, thudding home a header from Martin Petrov's corner.

City looked like seizing the initiative until Ireland's tackle.

Defoe came off the bench to show Eriksson what he was missing when he left him out of England's World Cup squad last years.

'It's a little bit late if he wants to prove a point to me today - I will not be the next man for the job,' said Eriksson.

'He is one of the better strikers but the situation, which was a long time ago, was that he didn't play many games during the year. That was the reason why I took one who almost never played. I gambled. That was the reason. Of course he is a good player.'

Defoe has struggled for starts but with Robbie Keane suspended for another two matches can expect a run in the starting XI.

'It's true that Defoe definitely helps the team when he comes on,' said Spurs head coach Juande Ramos.

'But I have four centre forwards I have to choose between. He's one of them.

'Obviously we now only have three forwards to choose from so the minutes will get shared around - mathematically he has more chance of playing.

'There's no one, two, three or four in order. We simply have four centre-forwards to play in two positions, so two can play each game and two have to sit it out.'

The win puts Spurs up to 13th in the table after a series of late goals cost them points.

'We've lost some very important points in last minutes of games, or in injury-time,' added Ramos.

'We hope this is a turning point which gives us an impetus to go further up the table.'

UEFA CUP - Anderlecht 1 Tottenham 1

Tottenham earned a place in the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup after Dimitar Berbatov came off the bench against Anderlecht to earn a 1-1 draw and spare the blushes of Michael Dawson.

Dawson was the senior centre-back of a makeshift defence but his error led to the opener at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels.

Defeat would have left Juande Ramos' men looking for help elsewhere in Group G for them to progress, but Berbatov levelled from the penalty spot after coming off the bench.

Ramos is looking for a hat-trick of UEFA Cups after winning with Sevilla in the previous two years, although Spurs were unconvincing and plenty of work is needed if they are to reach the final at Manchester City's Eastlands ground at the end of the season.

Tonight's clash was a repeat of the 1984 final when Spurs won on penalties.

Both teams were struggling domestically, with the Belgians falling behind the pace in their league and Spurs showing relegation form.

The respective lack of confidence was illustrated by a first half short on opportunities and excitement, not helped by constant rain in the Belgian capital for the previous two days.

Younes Kaboul's recent errors cost him a place in the squad and Anderlecht were attempting to penetrate a defence which had midfielder Didier Zokora at centre-back.

At least Spurs initially looked a little tighter at the back without the clumsy young Frenchman alongside Dawson, although it was Dawson who was later at fault.

Anderlecht were limited to half chances in the first half - but so too were Spurs.

Steed Malbranque had an overhead effort drift wide, while Robbie Keane would have been on goal with a better touch from Tom Huddlestone's floated pass.

Pascal Chimbonda whipped the ball in from a threatening position on the right but goalkeeper Daniel Zitka claimed.

Zitka was not troubled by Huddlestone's long-range free-kick, the midfielder who was looking to impress in his first start under Ramos.

Darren Bent had a tame appeal for a penalty when he tussled with Jelle van Damme in the area but the decision from referee Damir Skomina actually went the way of the hosts.

At the other end, Anderlecht's first threat came when Olivier Deschacht volleyed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal which Mbo Mpenza failed to get on the end of.

Paul Robinson made his first save of the match in the 34th minute when Nicolas Frutos found a yard of room on the edge of the box, but his weak shot lacked direction.

Robinson was also called into action when Roland Juhasz skidded through a shot from the edge of the area, then Frutos' follow-up was blocked.

Keane forced a save from decent save from Zitka in the first minute of the second half after Aaron Lennon and Chimbonda had exchanged passes down the right flank.

Robinson was required to save shortly afterwards when Chimbonda lost the ball and Frutos slipped past Dawson. The England goalkeeper was down well at his near post.

Mpenza was in a similar position but Zokora slid in, with the referee bizarrely awarding a goal-kick.

Spurs fans had been calling for Berbatov to be brought off the bench and they were given their wish just before the hour mark when he replaced Keane.

His first contribution was to drive into the penalty area at pace - but he was halted by a last-ditch tackle. He also had a free-kick tipped over by Zitka.

Jan Polak was booked for a rant at the referee when a decision went against him but he was among the celebrating home players in the 68th minute.

Cyril Thereau centred from the right, Dawson allowed the ball to cross past him and Bart Goor smashed into the bottom corner.

But Spurs were level within three minutes when Jermaine Jenas was brought down by Van Damme and Berbatov sent Zitka the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Robinson produced a stunning save to deny Thereau a winner when the substitute had most of the goal to aim at from close range, but the Spurs goalkeeper dived to claw the ball back.

Spurs survived to claim the point they needed but Young-Pyo Lee was carried off on a stretcher - more worrying news for Ramos' threadbare defence.

They could have grabbed a winner when Jermain Defoe had an effort tipped over the bar.

Spurs qualification tempered by crowd trouble

Tottenham Hotspur reaching the UEFA Cup knockout stages was marred by an incident at the end of their draw against Anderlecht when Didier Zokora appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd.

Zokora needed treatment towards the end of the 1-1 draw at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, with television replays suggesting he was hit by a lighter.

Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson then handed what appeared to be a metal bar to the fourth official after the final whistle.

'I played for four years in Belgium and they hate me,' said Zokora, who played for Genk earlier in his career.

UEFA could take action against Anderlecht - they fined them earlier in the season for crowd disturbances during a Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce.

The home fans were angered by a series of decisions going against them.

'Myself and Pascal Chimbonda went in to make a block challenge and then a few things were thrown, luckily enough they didn't hit me,' explained defender Michael Dawson.

'Didier went off and I am not too sure what hit him. For him to go off, something must have hit him. I could see some coins being thrown around me.

'If you get injured in the game that is part of football but you don't expect that kind of thing to happen.'

Head coach Juande Ramos was himself a victim of fans throwing missiles during his time at Sevilla when Real Betis supporters targeted him.

The Spaniard remained diplomatic on the incident, insisting he did not see it, but he said: 'This is very bad for the players and those who work in football. 'But I did not see what happened. We have to be left in peace on the pitch and you can't have objects thrown because somebody could get hurt.'

Ramos is still in the hunt for a hat-trick of UEFA Cups but admits his side needs defensive work if they are to be at Eastlands later this season.

Zokora was part of a makeshift defence following the decision to leave error-prone Younes Kaboul at home.

The Belgians were initially blunted during a first half that lacked excitement, but they showed more adventure in the second half and opened the scoring when Dawson allowed the ball to cross past him and Bart Goor smashed into the bottom corner.

Spurs were level within three minute when Jermaine Jenas was brought down by Jelle van Damme and Dimitar Berbatov sent Daniel Zitka the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Spurs will be mentioned among the favourites for the title but Ramos said: 'We're far from achieving this. We have to wait for the draw, we have to get better because we look a bit vulnerable.'

Assistant boss Gus Poyet said there was calmness in the dressing room after the incidents that soured qualification.

'I think it's not good for Anderlecht,' he said.

'It's nothing to do with Anderlecht, there are always a few people.

'The lads were calm but they know how dangerous the situation could be.'

Tottenham 2 Birmingham 3

Former Arsenal striker Sebastian Larsson produced a stunning injury-time winner to open Alex McLeish's reign at Birmingham with a 3-2 victory at Tottenham.

Larsson, recalled to the starting line-up by McLeish, fired an unstoppable 93rd-minute shot that inflicted a first defeat on Tottenham under Juande Ramos.

Spurs skipper Robbie Keane turned from hero to villain by scoring twice in three minutes to reel in Birmingham, only to then be sent off for a lunging tackle on Fabrice Muamba.

The Blues were under constant siege when they took a shock lead, blundering defender Younes Kaboul conceding a daft penalty that Gary McSheffrey converted.

Kaboul was substituted at half-time and the error-prone Frenchman must be chipping away at the patience of Ramos

Prior to the goal, Spurs had missed chances through Darren Bent, Dimitar Berbatov and Keane during a one-sided first half.

But Birmingham buckled under the pressure just four minutes after the interval, Johan Djourou conceding a penalty that Keane converted before adding his second shortly after.

In full command, Spurs looked set for victory but Cameron Jerome, returning to the team after a hernia operation, levelled with a brilliant finish.

Spurs were up against it without Keane in the final 22 minutes after he was the victim of an over-zealous decision by referee Phil Dowd and the pressure eventually told with Larsson landing the telling blow.

Ramos started with a three-pronged attack in Bent, Keane and Berbatov. Jermain Defoe was on the bench following his bout of flu.

Bent started in an advanced position alongside Berbatov with Keane lying deeper, but despite the impressive strike force on show the early danger came in Spurs territory.

Jerome floated a pass dangerously across the face of goal but Muamba could not reach the ball.

A poorly struck shot from Berbatov flew into the arms of keeper Maik Taylor, recalled by McLeish, and moments later Birmingham were saved by poor finishing from Keane.

Brilliant interplay between Bent and Keane - started by Kaboul's long ball - saw the Republic of Ireland skipper jink into the area only to sky his shot from close range with just Taylor to beat.

Tenacious work from Aaron Lennon, completed by a cheeky backheal, set up Keane but he picked out Berbatov near the far post and the Bulgarian nodded over.

Another Lennon backheel unlocked Birmingham's defence but this time Keane did not have the legs to capitalise.

Spurs kept up the pressure with Taylor doing well to keep out Bent, but his save ricocheted on to the leg of an unwitting Liam Ridgewell who nearly put the ball into his own net.

Birmingham then surged ahead against the run of play through McSheffrey - with Kaboul helping them into the lead.

Larsson and McSheffrey combined to send the Blues forward charging down the left of the box where he was clipped by Kaboul and he made no mistake from the spot.

Normal service resumed after the Blues had taken the lead with Spurs back on the offensive.

Keane was pulling the strings beautifully behind the front two, releasing Lennon whose bullet pass was cleared by Larsson in the nick of time.

A perfectly placed 37th minute free-kick by Gareth Bale was heading straight for the top right corner but Taylor produced a superb stop.

Berbatov rampaged down the right but his final ball was deflected clear by Johan Djourou as the home side continued to dominate.

Ramos hauled off Kaboul and Bent at half time, replacing them with Tom Huddlestone and Defoe, and four minutes after the break they equalised.

Didier Zokora sent Berbatov racing through and, in a echo of Kaboul's challenge, Djourou tripped the Spurs forward who went tumbling.

Keane rifled home the spot-kick for his 12th goal of the season and just three minutes later the club captain sent Spurs ahead.

A corner was cleared as far as Huddlestone and the midfielder saw Keane's run, finding him with a lofted ball that was prodded into the net.

But Birmingham levelled through Jerome in the 62nd minute, the England Under-21 striker waved through midfield by weak tackles from Michael Dawson and Zokora before finishing neatly.

Berbatov was cleared off the line by Ridgewell and Spurs were dealt another hammer blow in the 68th minute when Keane was given his marching orders.

A diving one-legged lunge on Muamba resulted in a straight red card from referee Dowd.

Defoe looked lively in the final 20 minutes but Spurs, a man down, found themselves stretched as Mikael Forssell hit the crossbar from point blank range.

Paul Robinson made a smart save from Olivier Kapo but then the Blues struck, Larsson breaking Spurs' hearts to register his side's first win at White Hart Lane for 24 years.