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21-year-old Kelly who describes 'pace and physical strength' as his main defensive qualities showed character throughout the 2-0 defeat of Fulham at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
Martin Jol, who had singled out Kelly for criticism last week, said "He's a great prospect but he's also realistic because he tells me he has to improve on certain areas like his final ball.
"Boa Morte is a real winger and Stephen did very well in taking him out of the match - in fact Boa had to chase him all afternoon.
"I told him he made a big step forward today because he had a terrific game," said Jol.
Fulham's Boa Morte signed for Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in 1997 but was eventually sold to Southampton, where he also fell out of favour once Glenn Hoddle took charge. As a result Boa Morte was loaned to the Cottagers, then in the first division, and the player's career in England took off. The 27-year-old Portuguese left-winger scored enough goals to help Fulham earn promotion to the Premiership and a permanent move back to London culminated in 2001.