Portsmouth 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Last updated : 04 January 2007 By SpursMAD

Didier Zokora made way in Martin Jol's starting line-up for Teemu Tainio, who returned from an ankle injury.

Dimitar Berbatov also started following illness while Reto Ziegler replaced Mido on the bench.

Martin Jol: "At 1-0 down it could have been one of those days, but the only thing we lacked was a real aggression.

We have talked about how when you lose the ball you must be more decisive and get one or two tackles in to get the ball back. We didn't do that, it was about us and we're still learning to be better and tougher in the tackle.

"In the second half we got stuck in a bit more, we showed far more of the grit that you need in the Premiership. We had five or six chances and they probably had one. Before they scored the goal they had no chances and the goal was a deflection.

"In the second half the players battled for the Club, the team, the fans and themselves. We showed everybody what we can do against a team who have been very strong at home."

"Danny also came on against Liverpool and did well. He kept a cool head in the box to provide an excellent cross. Steed Malbranque also stayed cool to head his second goal for us."

"I felt we played a good and organised game, but still conceded a soft goal. We should have scored one or two more goals that would have won us the three points away from home, which would have been terrific against a strong side.

"We looked as fit as Portsmouth who had not played in Europe and, were no longer in the Carling Cup so that was good. We kept their crowd fairly quiet and were the better team. We were down at half-time because we had been on top but hadn't scored a goal. I thought the players showed a good reaction in the second half."

On Hossam Ghaly's injury: "He lost four teeth and suffered a split lip which was nasty for him. He played on and showed great character."

Chris Hughton: "A point was a decent enough result simply because we were behind in the game. They only had one opportunity in the first period and it was half a chance, which obviously took a big deflection off Calum. I thought they were very, very fortunate to go in at half-time a goal up.

"We were better in the second half, scored a good goal and then had two or three opportunities to take the lead. I felt that if any side was going to go on and win it, it was going to be us. I think in the context of where they were in the league, their home record and the fact that we were a goal down - it wasn't a bad outcome for us.

"We knew it would be a tough one, but on the balance of play there had to be some disappointment over not getting the three points.

Steed Malbranque: "It was a tough game for us with going one goal down and we were desperate to get back into the match, we did it and I was happy to have scored the goal - especially with my head!"

"I haven't scored many with my head, but it was a good ball from Danny for me. It was not a problem for me to play on the left, right or in the middle. It has been a busy time."

Michael Dawson: "We were really pushing on for the win in the second half and that's testament to the work we've all put in."

"I thought we might have nicked it and David James made one save in particular from Tom Huddlestone to deny us."

Source: TottenhamHotspur.com