Harry Redknapp made a happy return to his former manor as he guided high-flying Spurs to a hard-fought win over Paul Hart's strugglers.

Much of the pre-game hype had focused on the potentially hostile reception that the Portsmouth fans had in store for the man who guided them to FA Cup glory in 2008. But this never really materialised. In fact it was rather subdued and reports of the Tottenham boss needing to employ security staff were also wide of the mark.

As for matters on the field, the visitors had Ledley King fit, and Heurelho Gomes was preferred to Carlo Cudicini in goals, while ex-Pompey pair Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar started too.

Pompey looked to Kevin Prince-Boateng - against his former club - and Aruna Dindane to trouble a relatively leaky Spurs defence, and propel them to their second successive win in the Premier League.

The home side began in good spirits. Clearly buoyed by finally grabbing their first win of the season last time out against Wolves, Hart's men pressed at every opportunity and prevented Spurs from establishing any kind of rhythym early on.

Pompey's early pressure resulted in a golden opportunity for hitman Dindane to open the scoring. When it looked harder to miss than score, he somehow managed to spoon the ball over the bar from inside the six-yard box with the goal gaping. This was after Jermain Defoe had hit the post for Spurs.

'arry has goals flowing through his Spurs team so it was no surprise to see them open the scoring - even if the source of the goal mightn't have been entirely expected.

Despite Kevin Prince-Boateng showing the travelling support just what they are missing with an energised midfield display, it was a former Pompey favourite who delivered the killer blow for Spurs at the other end.

Niko Kranjcar's corner was expertly delivered onto the head of Tottenham captain Ledley King's head and he nodded home to give The Lillywhites the lead.

One became two on the stroke of half-time for the visitors then, with yet another former Pompey man at the heart of proceedings. Jermain Defoe - who would later see Red for a needless stamp - was on hand on 45 minutes to turn home an inviting cross from the impressive Jermaine Jenas.

Spurs were suddenly in control of the game, even if a 0-2 scoreline at the break flattered them somewhat. It was looking as if Paul Hart's men would have nothing to show for their endeavours.

But their prospects of snatching something from the game improved after the break. The excellent Prince-Boateng sent the home support into hysterics when he rifled a blistering drive into the top corner of the Spurs net to give the South Coast team hope.

They began to cause Spurs genuine problems - and almost capitalised fully on their numerical advantage when Hassan Yebda volleyed powerfully towards goal, only to see his effort repelled by Gomes. A clearly ruffled Harry Redknapp sent on the combative Wilson Palacios to try and stem the pressure, and the Honduran did make a difference in galvanising Spurs' rearguard action.

But as the game moved into its final stages the petulant Michael Brown was dismissed to remove Pompey's one-man advantage, and Spurs clung on for a well-earned victory.

It means that the North Londoners are just two points behind league leaders Manchester United in third place, while Portsmouth's fifth home defeat of the season consolidates their position at the foot of the table.

Teams:

Portsmouth: James, Kaboul, Finnan (Utaka 90), Ben-Haim, Mokoena(Belhadj 78), Brown, Boateng, Yebday, Wilson, Smith (Piquionne 63), Dindane.

Tottenham: Gomes, Bassong, Corlukas, King, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone (Dawson 87), Lennon, Jenas, Kranjcar (Palacios 66), 10 Keane (Crouch 56),Defoe.