A hugely entertaining game, rich in incident, was played without fear or caution. Harry Redknapp's past and present collided in a first half of exciting ebb and flow. Pacy players on both sides ran with the ball at breakneck speed and ensured there was no midfield mash.
Midfield was opened dramatically as both teams took turns to attack and usually finished with an effort on goal. Tottenham just about held sway in this period, benefiting from the close control and twisting of Aaron Lennon on the right and Jamie O'Hara's swerving left-foot deliveries.
Tony Adams cleverly placed David Nugent and Armand Traoré between the opposition's centre-backs and flank positions to support Peter Crouch and they consistently found space. Gareth Bale got caught out when he should have restrained his supporting runs and Nugent used the space the left-back vacated well.
Tottenham also used the penetrative ball with Jermain Defoe making runs centre to left and bending his runs in an attempt to outstrip the superb Sol Campbell when Glen Johnson had joined Pompey's attack.
The second half began with the same pace and, when Traoré broke like a Ferrari, Vedran Corluka squirted the ball into Nugent who, for once, showed confidence with his finish. Luka Modric tried to show some control and restraint but it was difficult in the harum-scarum. Didier Zokora broke forward without cover and Portsmouth accepted counter-attacking opportunities.
If Tottenham play like this, they need one midfield player to play the early pass and hold his position. It could well be that Harry asks Defoe to link the play occasionally and mix up his game. He was always a threat in the final third but Campbell was magnificent.
This was cavalier football, with two teams paying their lowly league position no respect. If Spurs continue with two up front, the strikers cannot afford to play flat with each other. They need to drag one of the centre-backs towards the play to make themselves available for midfield passes and create more space.
Teams are at their most vulnerable when they lose possession and both sides must recognise the importance of this. If they stabilise midfield, they will be more resilient in the long run.
