Danny Murphy broke the deadlock as early as the first minute before Jermaine Defoe doubled the lead from a debatable spot-kick.

Nwankwo Kanu pulled one back for Portsmouth before the break but the hosts held on to their slim lead.

Tottenham coach Martin Jol opted for a striking partnership between Dimitar Berbatov and Defoe.

The Egyptian striker was reportedly left on the bench for his taunting remarks about Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell.

Hossam Ghaly made it to the starting line-up, playing on the right flank and was instrumental alongside Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora.

Tottenham's second victory from seven matches this season moved them up to 13th place with seven points, leading Newcastle United on goal difference.

Portsmouth remained fourth with 13 points.

The huge crowd at White Hart Lane waited only for 39 seconds to celebrate the opener when veteran midfielder Murphy poked home benefiting from a defensive mix-up.

In the 35th minute, Zokora darted inside the area from the right flank before falling down under a challenge from Tiago Mendez and earning a penalty-kick.

The Portuguese midfielder protested the call and the television replay proved that there was no contact at all between the two players inside the box.

English international Defoe stepped up to pin a powerful low penalty-shot past keeper David James.

Kanu narrowed the gap five minutes from the interval when he towered to head a right-flank cross at Tottenham Paul Robinson.

The England keeper got the slightest touch on the ball but it wasn't enough to block Portsmouth's only goal.

Earlier on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored twice to give Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Newcastle and send the Red Devils to the top spot.

Solskjaer slotted home on the rebound after Cristiano Ronaldo's long-range shot was denied by the post in the 41st minute.

The Norway striker added the second four minutes after the interval as he converted Nemanja Vidic's shot past Steve Harper.

United now have 16 points, ahead of title holders Chelsea with goal difference.