Source: Telegraph
Jermain Defoe stamp leaves Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp fuming
Redknapp was pleased with the reception he received from the Pompey fans he left nearly a year ago, and he was encouraged by a performance inspired by recalled goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes - but Defoe's red card for a stamp on Aaron Mokoena left him furious.
Redknapp said: "I told him 15 times, before the game and at half-time, 'don't react, don't react, don't react. If you get kicked, whatever you do, don't react'. True enough, that is what he goes and does. It made it more difficult for us."
Defoe misses next week's clash against Stoke, the Carling Cup tie against Everton and the derby clash against Arsenal at the end of the month.
Redknapp's anger stems from seeing a striker who has scored 10 goals for club and country - including the eventual winner against Pompey - needlessly sent off after his repeated warnings.
Peter Crouch is likely to get his chance alongside Robbie Keane, while Roman Pavlyuchenko is desperate for a chance - so Redknapp will be hoping his three remaining strikers can keep Spurs in the hunt for the top-four finish in the Premier League that he feels is possible.
"We have to believe and we've got to have a go," Redknapp said.
"That is the aim and I can't keep saying we can't. This is the year the top teams are getting beaten.
"Other years it's been different but Chelsea and Liverpool have been beaten this weekend. Liverpool only lost twice last year in the league.
"There are teams now who, on their better days, can knock the top sides over, so I think the league is getting closer.
"Aston Villa got a great result (against Chelsea) and are going to be there, Manchester City can achieve anything with that squad. We can look to push and be around that top group all season."
He added: "We've got people coming back too. Jonathan Woodgate is nearly fit now so we'll have some good options and we're in for a good season. We've had good away results at West Ham, Hull and Portsmouth so we're going okay."
Despite fears of hostility and abuse from Pompey fans, Redknapp's return was understated. When Ledley King opened the scoring Redknapp received a text message, and inevitably there were thoughts of a repeat of the sick phone calls the Spurs manager took when he left Pompey.
But Redknapp revealed: "It was Tim Sherwood. We don't have all that modern equipment, just a phone.
"He was in the stands and I told him to call if he sees anything and he felt there was an area we could do better. He has a great future in the game."
Defoe doubled the lead before half-time, then Kevin-Prince Boateng pulled one back to reward him for a fine performance in midfield against his former club.
Defoe's dismissal led to a thrilling finale but Gomes' saves proved crucial.
Redknapp had to bring on Wilson Palacios to tighten the midfield, just a few hours after the Honduras international was kept in his home country to celebrate reaching the World Cup - by orders of the president.
"He arrived at 11am at Heathrow and got in a car and came straight to the game," Redknapp said.
"I couldn't start him but we were hanging on at the end."
Redknapp believes Pompey will stay up this season and Paul Hart, who had Michael Brown sent off in the dying stages, agrees.
He said: "All the players know where we are and they are desperately keen to get these results. We have to get to work this week because we have a run of games where we'll cause teams problems if we continue to play like that."
