Berbatov stike ends Pompey roll

Tottenham Hotspur's Dmitar Berbatov (R) celebrates with teammates Pascal Chimbonda (L) and Jermaine Jenas after winning their Premiership match against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Berbatov's goal nine minutes from time was good enough to give Totteham Hotspur their first away Premier League win of the season as they beat Portsmouth 1-0. (AFP)

Dimitar Berbatov's goal nine minutes from time was good enough to give Tottenham Hotspur their first away Premier League win of the season as they beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park here Saturday. Defeat ended Pompey's 11-game unbeaten run and saw the south coast club miss out on the chance to go fourth in the table with Manchester City's victory over Bolton pushing Harry Redknapp's side down a place into sixth spot.

It looked as if Portsmouth were about to be held to a fourth straight goalless league draw at Fratton Park when Bulgaria international striker Berbatov found space at the far post to turn in Aaron Lennon's cross.

Earlier, out-of-touch Pompey striker David Nugent missed a chance to give the home side the lead when he headed a corner from Croatia star Niko Krancjar over the bar.

But Spurs could have made it 2-0 towards the end when substitute striker Jermain Defoe hit the post.

After a largely lacklustre first-half where Portsmouth, for all their possession, rarely troubled goalkeeper Paul Robinson, Spurs grew in authority.Darren Bent twice tested Robinson's fellow England keeper David James and the Portsmouth number one had to be alert to deny Kevin-Prince Boateng his first Spurs goal.

Sulley Muntari, who scored twice in last weekend's 3-1 win away to Aston Villa, went close for Portsmouth with Robinson doing well to hold his forceful shot.

Pompey though were finding it increasingly difficult to contain the threat of Lennon on the right wing and his precise cross was met expertly by Berbatov as Tottenham's climb away from the relegation zone since Juande Ramos replaced Martin Jol as manager, continued with this morale-boosting victory.

Print | Email | Discuss this article |

READERS' COMMENTS

View all comments (0)

Have your say

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Security Code *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM