Source: FOOTYMAD
Pompey Past Comes Back To Haunt Pompey Present
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Portsmouth 0 Goals from Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar saw Pompey fall to defeat at White Hart Lane but the biggest issue for Avram Grant was another three injuries to add to an already crippling list.A much weakened Pompey should have taken the lead when Vanden Borre was played in but his close range shot was saved by the legs of Gomes. Michael Brown also had an opportunity from close range that was also dealt with by the Tottenham 'keeper and that was as good as it got for us.Predictably it was two Pompey old boys who put the ball in the net. Peter Crouch headed in the first and Niko Kranjcar backheeled in the second but kept his celebration more respectful than Crouch did.Spurs had hit the woodwork on three occasions during the first half so we could have no complaints about the result and in a way I'm happy that we kept the score respectable given the side Avram was forced to play.There's not much to talk about in terms of football in the second half as Spurs coasted and we couldn't create anything. The talking point for Pompey fans will be the amount of injuries sustained during the second half.With Marc Wilson already out, Hermann Hreidarsson done his Achilles and had to be stretchered off then Danny Webber also had to be stretchered off with a cruciate knee ligament injury.To illustrate how strecthed our squad was there was Vanden Borre at right back, Finnan and Mokoena in the centre and Mullins at left back. There were also only six subs on the bench, with three of them youngsters who have never played in the Premier League.David James also went off with a calf strain as a precaution as Pompey were reduced to ten men having used all three of their substitutes. James should be alright for Wembley, but Hermann and Webber are out for the season.The good news is that Tal Ben-Haim. Kevin-Prince Boateng, Tommy Smith and John Utaka all have a chance of making the semi-final but Hreidarsson, Webber and Rocha will definitely miss out. As for Wilson, Belhadj and Diop it's anyone's guess as to whether they play any part at Wembley or not.Just to add to that, Pompey may be forced to take the £250,000 that Spartak Moscow are offering to cancel Quincy's deal and to send him back to Russia.Whoever plays in the Semi, they will need to show more solidarity than yesterday as this miserable league season draws to a close.Pompey Player RatingsDavid James: 6 - Blameless for the two goals.Hayden Mullins: 4 - Felt sorry for him playing out of position.Hermann Hreidarsson: 5 - Injury casualty.Aaron Mokoena: 6 - Seems to be better at centre back than in midfield.Steve Finnan: 5 - Poor overall.Anthony Vanden Borre: 6 - Looked bright but should have scored.Michael Brown: 6 - Put himself about but should have scored.Angelos Basinas: 5 - Not really in the game.Richard Hughes: 5 - Game seemed to pass him by.Kanu: 6 - Showed touches of class.Frederic Piquionne: 5 - Didn't have much impact.SubstitutesJamie Ashdown (James 89): N/A - Brought on to protect James.Leonard SowahJoel WardMatt RitchieQuincy Owusu-Abeyie (Basinas 84): N/A - Late run out.Danny Webber (Hreidarrson 51): 5 - Nasty injury.
