Portsmouth FC 2–0 Tottenham Hotspur on 28 September 2008

Tottenham were left rooted to the bottom of the Premier League after a tame display in a loss at Portsmouth.

Former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe put Pompey ahead when he drove in a penalty after Jermaine Jenas needlessly handled a Glen Little free-kick.

Spurs lacked a goal threat but were denied a penalty after an Aaron Lennon cross struck Lassana Diarra's arm.

Peter Crouch nodded in Pompey's second before Diarra was sent-off late on for two bookable offences.

Spurs now have just two points from six top-flight games and, while it is early in the season, the panic button might be getting nearer to being pushed.

The White Hart Lane side, who have made their worst start to a season for 53 years, looked short on confidence and belief, while they also seemed like a set of strangers playing together.

Defoe's opener will only have added to their misery and any regret they may harbour from selling him to Pompey in January.

The England striker made his exit with Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov ahead of him in the Spurs pecking order but his rivals have also since left the club.

Keane and Berbatov departed during the summer and Spurs have struggled to adapt and move on, while Defoe has prospered at Pompey.

He thought he had put his side ahead as early as the third minute when he slotted in after a Crouch flick-on only to be ruled offside in a marginal decision.

Spurs saw plenty of the ball early on but it was the home side who were posing the problems in front of goal.

Pompey midfielder Richard Hughes pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a left-foot shot on the stretch which was fended away by keeper Heurelho Gomes.

Gomes again denied Hughes when he saved his far post volley from a corner before Pompey took the lead after 34 minutes.

Jenas was the culprit and his error allowed Defoe to confidently score from the spot for his sixth goal from his last five outings.

Spurs fans could only crave the sort of inspiration Defoe and Pompey possessed and, even when they did go close, they were missing a cutting edge.

Striker Roman Pavlyuchenko headed wide of the Pompey goal and also steered a David Bentley free-kick high.

Spurs were not helped when their appeals for a penalty after Lennon's cross struck Diarra's arm were turned away and Pompey took advantage by extending their lead.

Armand Traore's powerful shot was only parried by Gomes and ex-Tottenham trainee Crouch was on hand to head in from close range.

Diarra was dismissed after 88 minutes for Pompey but they will welcome the win after conceding 10 goals in their last two games.