H
arry Kane edged ever closer to Jimmy Greaves’ Tottenham goalscoring record with the only goal of the game to defeat Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.
Kane’s 50th-minute curler moved him to 265 goals for his boyhood club, one clear of Greaves’ record that has stood for more than half a century, and saw Antonio Conte’s side edge for about a stubborn Pompey team.
With Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Moura and Richarlison injured, Spurs once again relied on this season’s top scorer Kane, who grabbed his 17th goal in all competitions after a lackluster first half.
Sky Bet League One opponents Portsmouth held strong but rarely threatened the hosts’ goal and retreated against a youthful Tottenham side containing six players aged 23 and under.
This was the first meeting between the sides since the 2010 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, in which Pompey won 2-0 after extra time.
Read more
The two clubs have embarked on different journeys since then, with the visitors languishing in the third tier, while Spurs, largely due to Kane, have regularly challenged for the biggest trophies and reached the final of the Champions League three years ago.
Kane started this game just two away from equaling Greaves’ club record of 266 goals and had his first sight of goal in the 14th minute but saw a worn effort at the back post blocked by Denver Hume.
Portsmouth, who sacked Danny Cowley on Monday after a nine-game league winless run, got off to a bright start in the capital with the support of a huge crowd, with Reeco Hackett-Fairchild testing Fraser Forster with an acrobatic effort From the beginning.
The traveling support were getting close to every pass on the half hour mark with Tottenham struggling to break down the away side’s back five.
Conte’s men improved towards the end of the opening 45 but Davinson Sanchez headed home before full debutant Pape Sarr and Son Heung-min sent speculative efforts wide of the mark to secure 0-0 at the break.
Spurs were able to keep their momentum going after the break with Emerson Royal heading the inside of the post from a tight angle after some excellent play from Son.
That meant Josh Griffiths in the Portsmouth goal had yet to be tested, but with 50 minutes on the clock he was taking the ball into his net and predictably following another Kane goal.
Kane, fresh off a midweek double at Crystal Palace, exchanged passes with Ryan Sessegnon on the edge of the box before opening his body to curl the ball into the corner.
It took Tottenham’s stand-in captain away from Greaves’ record, but regular partner-in-crime Son was at the center of the action immediately afterwards with a thunderous effort followed by a free-kick over the crossbar.
Another Spurs Academy graduate should have put the game to bed with 22 minutes remaining but Oliver Skipp, a late call-up after Yves Bissouma was injured in the warm-up, broke after nice job by Bryan Gil.
Pompey held on for a draw and Sanchez had to block an Owen Dale effort in the 70th minute with the visiting support stronger than ever despite the wet weather in London.
There would be no late drama though, with Tottenham comfortably holding on and Conte able to introduce Djed Spence and Alfie Devine late on for some minutes.
Tottenham vs Portsmouth latest news
Live updates
Show latest updates 1673102066
Tottenham player ratings: Gil buoyed as Kane approaches history
Harry Kane moved within two goals of surpassing Jimmy Greaves as Tottenham’s record goalscorer with the winner as he edged past Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.
Kane fired Spurs early in the second half with his 265th goal for the club, breaking the deadlock after another below-par 45 minutes from Antonio Conte.
Dan Kilpatrick was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to rate the Spurs players…
Getty Images 1673102018
Complete history of the match
Harry Kane moved within a goal of Jimmy Greaves’ record 266 at Tottenham with the decisive goal against Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.
Pompey forward Reeco Hackett-Fairchild had the best chance of the first half after a smart move from fellow striker Colby Bishop. With the ball falling, the 24-year-old hit a volley on the turn, forcing Fraser Forster into a fine save.
Read our full match report here!
AFP via Getty Images1673101462
FT: Tottenham 1-0 Portsmouth
Kane’s goal sends Spurs through to the next round!
1673100784
Spurs in control
83:00 – At the moment, Pompeo can hardly touch himself.
1673100388
Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
A big round of applause for the introduction of Djed Spence, who will play the last 15 minutes or so. It is his second longest spell after a 25-minute cameo against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup.
1673099803
OPPORTUNITY FOR TOTTENHAM!
67:00 – Skipp somehow lights up from close range.
1673099682
Quiet afternoon for Forster
65:00 – Hackett-Fairchild’s chance in the first half, the Tottenham keeper hasn’t had much to do.
1673099358
Much harder for Pompey now
60:00 – The queues are already up. It will be the last 30 long minutes for Pompeu.
1673098919
Dan Kilpatrick at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Kane moves within a goal of Jimmy Greaves’ record Spurs record, and with 40 minutes to play here and Arsenal next. In a development that should surprise no one, Spurs are already looking much better in the second half.
1673098747
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Portsmouth | Harry Kane ’50
50:00 – Harry Kane gives Spurs the lead with a brilliant finish from outside the box.