Tottenham 1 – 0 Portsmth

Harry Kane sent Tottenham into the FA Cup fourth round with his 265th goal for the club enough to see off League One Portsmouth.

Kane moved one behind Spurs’ all-time top scorer Jimmy Greaves after bending a wonderful effort into the corner from the edge of the box at the start of the second half.

Tottenham struggled throughout to break down the managerless visitors, who had sacked boss Danny Cowley on Monday following nine winless league games, with a much-changed team from their 4-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Both Kane and Heung-Min Son kept their places though as Spurs laboured to their 1-0 win, capping a positive week for Antonio Conte ahead of the north London derby with Arsenal next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

How Spurs advanced into the fourth round

Tottenham failed to have a shot on target in the first half with Portsmouth going closest to taking a stunning lead. Reeco Hackett-Fairchild adjusted his body in the box to swivel and sweep an overhead kick at goal which had to be pushed away by Fraser Forster.

Kane nearly turned the ball home from a corner, while Son whipped an effort narrowly wide, but Spurs were thoroughly frustrated by the resilient visitors, roared on by almost 9,000 supporters.

They were still not silenced despite Kane breaking the deadlock five minutes after the break amid a fast Tottenham start which saw Emerson Royal’s headed effort come back off a post. Kane exchanged passes with Ryan Sessegnon on the edge of the box before bending a perfect effort into the corner for his third goal of the week.

Tottenham dominated the second period, seeing Son blast over before Oliver Skipp fired off-target from the centre of the box with a clear view of goal, but it mattered little as Spurs went through.

What’s next?

Tottenham’s next game is a huge north London derby at home to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday January 15, live on Sky Sports – kick-off 4.30pm.

Sunday 15th January 4:00pm


Kick off 4:30pm

Antonio Conte’s side then face another crucial league game on Thursday January 19, when they travel to Manchester City, live on Sky Sports – kick-off 8pm.

Portsmouth’s next outing is at Bolton in the Papa Johns Trophy quarter-finals on Tuesday – kick-off 7.45pm.

Pompey then face Bolton away again on Saturday, this time in League One – kick-off 3pm.