‘Over the bar, over the bar,’ they mocked from the Portsmouth end as Harry Kane lined up the first-half free kick. In true football parlance, it’s best to get your retaliation in first and your digs in early. Because invariably Kane gets the last laugh.
It will take a while for that penalty miss against France to subside from terrace humour. But wither away it will in the coming months. What will remain is the magnitude of Kane’s goal-scoring achievements. The free kick didn’t go so well, driven directly into the defensive wall. Yet there would be a riposte later. Of course there would.
In the coming months the iconic records will tumble. Kane now sits just the one goal behind Jimmy Greaves as the all-time Tottenham record goal-scorer. The festival of celebration for surpassing the greatest ever English goal-scorer will have to wait for now. Perhaps next week’s north London derby here will be a more fitting occasion? Then Wayne Rooney’s England record will be surpassed when he next scores for the national team.
Harry Kane’s sublime curling effort in the second-half was the difference as Spurs knocked Portsmouth out the FA Cup
Antonio Conte’s men avoided an FA Cup third round upset with a determined display against Pompey at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Since returning from Qatar and his personal disappointment, Kane has four goals in four games. ‘I’m not impressed at all,’ said Cristian Stellini, Antonio Conte’s assistant and he meant it as the highest compliment, in that you wouldn’t expect anything else from Kane.
But the conundrum remains. Had Kane broken that Rooney record against France, might he now be at the pinnacle of his career and a World Cup winner? All idle speculation in one sense. Right now a League Cup, the Intertoto Cup, any cup would do for Kane and Spurs.
The measure of Tottenham’s mediocrity is that League One opponents Portsmouth have won a major trophy more recently than Spurs. ‘When Sol went up/To lift the FA Cup/We were there!’ chanted those 8,500 travelling fans of their 2008 victory, a double jibe given Sol Campbell’s traitor status here.
The League One outfit put on a valiant display in front of their 9,000 travelling away fans but their FA Cup journey comes to an end
It was Portsmouth’s Reeco Hackett-Fairchild who had the best effort in the first-half with an acrobatic strike that needed keeping out from Fraser Forster
The only response the Spurs fans could offer was ‘We want Levy out’, the palpable discord at the club now seemingly a permanent feature since the last days of Mauricio Pochettino, coach seemingly pitted against owner whoever the managerial incumbent happens to be.
For now it is Antonio Conte and amidst all the complaints and equivocating about his future – he appears to believe he was hired to drive a Formula One car and has been handed the keys to a Ford Escort – it’s not impossible that this competition or even the Champions League could provide a twist to a curiously ambivalent Tottenham season, which started full of promise but lost its way.
An FA Cup would be a seismic milestone for Spurs so, as such, this win can be marked as baby step on that route.
Spurs players celebrate Harry Kane opening the scoring with his wonderful effort which turned out to be the match-winner
There was nothing that Pompey goalkeeper Josh Griffiths could do about Kane’s curling effort which he had to simply watch fly past him
Kane’s latest goal for Spurs, his fourth in four, puts him just one goal behind Jimmy Greaves as Tottenham’s all-time leading goal scorer
Without reducing it all to personalities, the future of Spurs is bound up in Conte and Kane. The latter has one more year left on his deal. His window of opportunity to move to a club that wins major trophies is now.
If both he and Conte decide Spurs aren’t that kind of club – and it will be a quarter of century since their 2008 League win in March – then Levy’s rebuild will proceed minus the two most-famous names at the club.
For now, there is some hope and there will be celebrations soon. How could there not be when a record as significant as Greaves’ is about to fall? Kane’s step towards that goal came on 51 minutes, a rare moment of quality it a cup tie undistinguished, but for the commitment of the visitors and their fans.
Kane nutmegged Ryan Tunnicliffe before exchanging passes with Ryan Sessgnon. Just outside the area, he looked up, took a touch, chose his spot and curled his strike into the far right hand corner. Classic Kane.
‘I think if we’d had him, we might have won,’ said Simon Bassey, stand-in Portsmouth manager. ‘We just got done by a world class finish from a world class player.’
Kane’s goal came just after Emerson Royal had hit the woodwork with a brilliant header back across the goal from a Son Heung-min cross
Oliver Skipp sent an effort wildly over the crossbar from around eight yards out after the ball broke loose to him in the Pompey box
Portsmouth’s players and coaching staff went straight to their fans at the full-time whistle to thank them for their vocal support
Tottenham had been pedestrian until then though two minutes before they had their best chance when Heung-Min son burst down the left and delivered a cross that was met by Emerson Royal. His header looped over goalkeeper Joshua Griffiths and looked to be settling in the net but instead bounced off the inside of the post.
For all their efforts, Portsmouth didn’t really have an answer to Kane’s goal, nor would you expect them to given that they have sunk to twelfth in League One, their last league win back in October, a run that saw manager Danny Cowley replaced by Bassey here.
But they were redoubtable here, their 5-3-2 keeping Tottenham at bay. ‘Monumental’ was Bassey’s verdict. ‘I’m proud of them,’ he added, before acknowledging that they now need to show that kind of form in League One.
Their best moment came on 13 minutes when Reeco Hackett-Fairchild met a cross with a glorious strike, swivelling mid-air to connect with the ball on the turn and force Fraser Forster to push it wide for the corner. It would have been some goal. Kane will doubtless empathise with Hackett-Fairchild’s sense of what might have been.
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION AS IT UNFOLDED WITH ARTHUR PARASHAR BELOW
That’s all for today. Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of the FA Cup third round contest between Tottenham and Portsmouth.
Harry Kane’s spectacular goal was the difference. There’s plenty more FA Cup action throughout the weekend which Sportsmail will keep you updated with.
Let’s check in with the final scores:
Tottenham 1-0 Portsmouth
Gillingham 0-1 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1-2 Southampton
Preston North End 3-1 Huddersfield Town
Reading 2-0 Watford
Shane Long seals Reading’s place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a goal that knocks out Slaven Bilic’s Watford.
Spurs avoid an FA Cup upset and Harry Kane sends his side through to the fourth round with a sublime winner.
It was a valiant display from Pompey in front of their 9,000 fans but on the day, Conte’s side deserved to go through.
Kane’s goal was worthy of winning any match. No slip-up from Spurs here. Job done.
Pompey beg the referee for a foul on the edge of the Spurs box but it’s not given. Spurs break away with very few Pompey players at the back.
They manage to deal with it. Gil is replaced by Devine in stoppage time.
As we enter the final minute, Josh Koroma breaks away into the Spurs half towards goal but Davies drags him down and goes into the book.
Is this Portsmouth’s moment!?
Three minutes added on…
Preston have surely made sure of their progression into the fourth round of the FA Cup. Alan Browne makes it 3-1.
Dale and the rest of the Pompey fan base are incensed they should have a corner. The linesman’s decision to give a goal kick is met with boos from 9,000 Pompey fans.
Dale is replaced by Ronan Curtis as we approach the final few minutes.
Simon Bassey looks to his bench once again. Michael Jacobs and Joe Pigott come on for Colby Bishop and Joe Morrell.
Morrell has been outstanding in that Pompey midfield but his time is up.
Gil wins Spurs another corner which Son rushes over to take. The South Korean puts in a decent delivery but Pompey do well to clear. Final ten minutes here.
Conte will want his side to grab another or else it will be a nervy final ten.
Pompey win a corner right in front of their away fans who are desperately trying to get their side back into it. They have been so vocal today.
Unfortunately for them, nothing comes from it and Spurs almost break away but the Pompey defence manage to get back in numbers.
Tanganga threads it through the channel to Kane on the right hand side of the box. The England striker has an audacious effort from a tight angle but can only find the side netting.
Djed Spence – who the Spurs fans love – has come on for Ryan Sessegnon. Spence, who received a rapturous applause, will play on the right and Royal will move to the left.
Portsmouth have worked really hard here but find themselves a goal down. Simon Bassey has called upon his bench now.
Louis Thompson and Josh Koroma have come on for Tunnicliffe and REeco Hackett.
Thompson enters the pitch with a poor challenge on Gil and goes into the book.
Preston North End come from a goal down to lead 2-1 at Deepdale! Bambo Diaby scores for the home side.
As we enter the final 20 minutes across the five FA Cup ties, let’s bring you the latest scores.
Tottenham 1-0 Portsmouth
Gillingham 0-1 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1-2 Southampton
Preston North End 1-1 Huddersfield Town
Reading 1-0 Watford
Much better from Portsmouth! Gil tries to get away but Pompey counter. Swanson exchances a one-two with Tunnicliffe before teeing up Dale but his effort on the edge of the box is blocked.
The away fans loved that attack!
A HUGE goal for Nathan Jones’ Southampton side. With just over 20 minutes to go, Adam Armstrong has given Southampton the lead at Selhurst Park! Can they hold on?
Skipp has to score!
Kane drops in deep and fires a wonderful ball into Gil in the box. He lays it off to Skipp who is a matter of yards out but he blazes it over the bar! Should be 2-0.
Pompey are enjoying a bit of a spell here. Right-back Swanson has had an exceptional game and looks to build an attack for Bassey’s side.
However, they have only tested Forster once and if they are going to get back into this game, they need to offer more.
Son stands over a free-kick and tries to test Griffiths from a fair way out but his effort goes into the stands.
Would have been an exceptional goal had it gone in.
Preston have pulled a goal back against Huddersfield thanks to an own goal from Tom Lees. 1-1 at Deepdale.
Son combines with Royal and looks to get past Hume but the South Korean is pushed to the ground.
Somehow a free-kick is not awarded to Spurs. Bizarre decision really.
Kelechi Iheanacho has put Leicester 1-0 up at Gillingham, while Florian Kamberi has put Huddersfield a goal up at Preston North End.
Tottenham 1-0 Portsmouth
Gillingham 0-1 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1-1 Southampton
Preston North End 0-1 Huddersfield Town
Reading 1-0 Watford
After Harry Kane’s sublime finish put Spurs ahead let’s take a look at the latest scores.
Tottenham 1-0 Portsmouth
Gillingham 0-0 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1-1 Southampton
Preston North End 0-0 Huddersfield Town
Reading 1-0 Watford
Portsmouth need to ride this period out. Spurs are all over them here and Pompey look like they could leak goals.
As long as it is 1-0 they are still in the game here.
Much better from Tottenham here.
Emerson Royal does well to pick Son out when the ball looked like it was heading out of play for a goal kick. The South Korean has a pop at goal but his effort flies widly over.
What a goal that is! Harry Kane breaks the deadlock with his fourth goal in four matches. He plays a quick one-two with Sessegnon and curls a beauty into the far right corner past the helpless Griffiths.
How did that stay out!?
Son drives down the left and whips in a cross to the back post which Royal guides brilliantly back across goal with a header but it hits the woodwork! So unlucky!
Bishop does well to out muscle Davies and the Welsh back is forced to bring him down to stop him racing away.
Hackett-Fairfield stands over the ball and whips in a tempting delivery. Ogilvie gets across Davies but can’t steer it towards goal and it goes behind for a goal kick.
A decent start to the second-half from Spurs. Skipp bursts forward with a great run and is picked out by Ben Davies. The ball makes its way to Bryan Gil who tries to dance out of trouble but cannot get his feat sorted.
Neither manager has opted to make any changes yet and we are back underway. Sarr drives into the Pompey box early on but the League One club are able to get the ball away.
Antonio Conte and Simon Bassey have had their team talks and the players are heading back out, led by Son Heung-min.
Can Conte’s men break down this Pompey defence?
So Premier League side Tottenham are being held by League One outfit Portsmouth.
Check out some of the best action shots from the FA Cup third round clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
One of the best moments from the half was Hackett-Fairchild’s acrobatic effort which Fraser Forster had to get down low to keep out.
Hopefully we will have some goals in the second half!
We have reached half-time in all of the five FA Cup ties going on at the moment. Let’s take a look at the current scores.
Tottenham 0-0 Portsmouth
Gillingham 0-0 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1-1 Southampton
Preston North End 0-0 Huddersfield Town
Reading 1-0 Watford
We have another goal! I thought we might be heading into half-time across the country with just the two goals.
However, Kevin Abrefa has given the home side the lead on the stroke of half-time.
A big goal for Paul Ince’s men.
No goals at the break here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Portsmouth will be delighted that they go into half-time level and have put on a determined display so far.
Spurs grew into the game as the half went on and Conte will be hoping his side can find that bit of flair to break through this resolute Pompey defence.
Swanson blocks another cross out for another corner – Spurs’ seventh of the half. It’s a dangerous one but Tanganga is penalised for a foul.
That will be half-time there…
IN the midst of Spurs ramping up their efforts, Saints have equalised at Crystal Palace!
Who else but captain James Ward-Prowse. There’s an element of fortune as his free-kick is meant to be a cross but it gets caught in the wind and loops over everyone into the far corner.
Sessegnon receives the ball on the left and tees up Pape Matar Sarr on the edge of the box.
The Senagalese international is invited to shoot and does so but his effort flies wide to the right.
That felt like a frustrated effort from Sarr.
Spurs are ending the first-half well here. Kane and Son are becoming more involved as Pompey legs tire.
Conte will be delighted if his side can nick one before half-time here.
Harry Kane will be dissapointed with that. Spurs are awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Kane smashes it right into the wall and the ball comes back to him.
Spurs try to work something by getting it back into the box via Sessegnon but Pompey are able to deal with it.
Slight concern for Portsmouth as Ryan Tunnicliffe goes down momentarily. However, the former Man United midfielder is back on his feet for now and should be OK to continue.
Delicious ball from Sessegnon. He combines with Davies and it’s a teasing ball across the Pompey box from the left which Griffith’s helps on its way.
It goes all the way out to Royal on the other flank who attempts to cross one back in but his effort is blocked.
Royal is adamant he should have a penalty for a handball but nothing is given.
Harry Kane looks to find his strike partner Son in behind but Griffiths does well to come off his line and prevent the South Korean getting on the end of it.
Patient play from Portsmouth. They switch it on the left and Owen Dale runs at Emerson Royal but the Spurs defender manages to block his cross out for a throw in.
Pompey won’t mind that though as they have been using long throw-ins from Ogilvie to try and penetrate the Spurs defence.
Conte will be disappointed that Spurs have been unable to capitalise on any corners so far.
They have just had their sixth of the game already but Son crosses it straight into Griffith’s arms.
The current scores are:
Tottenham 0-0 Portsmouth
Gillingham 0-0 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1-0 Southampton
Preston North End 0-0 Huddersfield Town
Reading 0-0 Watford
Spurs try to counter but Skipp loses control of the ball. He goes in with a brusining challenge on Morrison which leaves the Pompey defender on the floor in agony
VAR have a look but nothing further is made of it.
That’s a nasty one from Skipp…
Great run from Skipp who is picked out by Davies as he drives into the box. Pompey are able to deal with it as Griffiths rushes out and the final touch comes off Skipp for a goal kick.
Halfway through the first-half here and nothing to separate the teams here. Spurs are seeing more of the ball as they search for an opening, moving the ball from left to right.
There’s a good battle going on between Swanson and Sessegnon. The Pompey full-back shepherds Sessegnon to the byline and his cross rebounds back off him to go out for a goal kick.
Pompey are well organised in defence and Spurs are going to have to break them down to find a goal.
Davies tries to put an early cross in but Tunnicliffe blocks it out for another Spurs corner.
The whipped in ball is headed behind by Bishop – who is furious he is not awarded a free-kick for a shove.
The ball makes its way out to Gil on the right but Spurs fail to make anything of it and are driven back to the half-way line.
A reminder that Palace have gone 1-0 up against Southampton
Some challenges flying in here in what should be a tasty FA Cup tie. Bryan Gil completely wipes out Morrell and the referee isn’t going to let that one go…
Portsmouth will be the happier side here. Spurs are yet to really get going and Pompey have seen more of the ball than expected.
Simon Bassey will be pleased from what he’s seen so far.
Morrison puts the ball out for another SPurs corner and Son’s dangerous inswinging corner causes havoc in the Pompey box.
Griffith flaps at the ball but recovers to block Kane’s strike from close range, which came via a deflection.
No goals here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but Odsonne Edouard has put Palace 1-0 up at home to Southampton.
More misery for Nathan Jones…
Great effort! Forster is called into action. It’s an acrobatic finish from Hackett-Fairfield after being teed up by a Bishop header.
Forster is required to get down low to his right and parry it behind for a corner.
They might be two leagues below, but Pompey are up for this one.
Spurs come down the other side this time and Sessegnon wins a corner after his cross was blocked. It comes to nothing and Pompey break away.
The ball is worked out to Hume who puts a nice looking ball into the box but Forster is able to grab it.
Ten minutes in here and still 0-0.
The ball is worked out to Royal on the right-hand side by Tanganga. He cuts inside and is completely wiped out by Hume who gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Can Spurs make this set-piece count?
Perhaps some early nerves out there but we have yet to see a goal in any of the five ties across the country so far.
Portsmouth are getting themselves settled at Spurs while Gillingham have started well against Premier League outfit Leicester.
So after an early corner for Pompey, Spurs now have a chance to make one count at the other end.
Emerson Royal drives inside and Owen Dale knocks it behind for a corner, which Son Heung-min will take.
He is still wearing his mask from the eye fracture he suffered.
Early attack here from Pompey and Kane is called into action to nod a header behind for a corner to the away side.
It is well cleared and Spurs manage to get it away before launching a counter.
We are underway here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!
Portsmouth get us underway…
The other 12:30pm kick-offs are underway too.
Portsmouth fans have travelled in their numbers and interim manager Simon Bassey went ahead of his players to soak up the atmosphere.
Huge day for him!
Harry Kane will lead his side out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The players are in the tunnel and are about to emerge as we approach kick-off.
Very late change here but Spurs have announced that Yves Bissouma has been replaced by Oliver Skipp.
Romaine Mundle is now on the bench.
Bissouma was injured in the warm-up.
It might be miserable outside but football fans are not letting the weather dampen their day out.
Five FA Cup ties are about to get underway across the UK.
Stay tuned for all of our live coverage, with the pick of the ties Tottenham vs Portsmouth in north London.
Can Pompey pull off another FA Cup giant-killing? Find out in around ten minutes!
Pompey players getting themselves ready for huge clash
It would be a huge day for Portsmouth if they can pull off a remarkable upset here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Let’s not forget that Pompey won the FA Cup in 2008 against Cardiff thanks to a historic goal from Kanu!
With just 20 minutes to go, Spurs are finishing up their warm-ups before they head back into the dressing room for a pep talk from Antonio Conte.
The Spurs players seem in good spirits but that could all change by 3pm today.
Portsmouth are actually the biggest outsiders to cause an FA Cup upset this weekend at odds of 22/1, according to SafeBettingSites.
Pompey are without a manager and sit 12th in League One as they come against a Spurs side on a mission.
Stevenage are a close second at 20/1 to beat Aston Villa tomorrow afternoon.
So with a good look at the team news, we are just 30 minutes away from kick-off across five different FA Cup ties.
Our main focus will be Spurs vs Pompey with Antonio Conte’s men desperate not to be on the wrong side of an upset here today.
They come into the game on the back of a 4-0 thumping against Crystal Palace and Conte has selected the same front three to hopefully power his side home.
Interestingly, Pape Matar Sarr – who has been linked with a move away due to lack of minutes – starts in midfield.
He has played just twice under Conte, both as a substitute in the last week, but he impressed Spurs fans and more importantly his boss.
Pape Matar Sarr
Both Patrick Vieira and Nathan Jones have shown their intentions for the FA Cup by selecting strong sides.
Jones’ side are in desperate need of a win and the likes of Ward-Prowse, Adams and Armstrong are all starting.
For Palace, Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise, Jordan Ayew and plenty of other first-team regulars start.
The magic of the cup…17-year-old Michael Adu-Poku starts for Watford
The FA Cup allows moments like this to happen. 17-year-old Academy forward Michael Adu-Poku is starting for Watford against Reading.
Hear his thoughts ahead of him making his professional debut!
Brendan Rodgers rings the changes like Antonio Conte has.
The Leicester boss has made eight changes with only Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy retaining their place from the Foxes defeat to Fulham on Tuesday.
So a reminder of the Portsmouth team news and there have been four changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Charlton – in what was Danny Cowley’s last game.
Pompey go with the same back five however as they look to cause an almighty upset in north London. The fans are certainly dressed for the occasion!
Portsmouth XI: Griffiths, Morrison, Raggett (C), Ogilvie, Swanson, Tunnicliffe, Morrell, Hume, Dale, Bishop, Hackett
So with all the team news laid out below, the biggest news is that Harry Kane starts for Tottenham against League One Pompey.
He scored twice in Spurs’ emphatic win.
Antonio Conte has made EIGHT changes to the side that thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday night, with only Kane, Son, and Bryan Gil surviving.
A reminder of the Spurs XI: Forster, Royal, Tanganga, Sanchez, Davies, Sessegnon, Bissouma, Sarr, Bryan, Son, Kane (C)
WATFORD line-up to face Reading
READING line-up to face Watford
PRESTON NORTH END line-up against Huddersfield
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN line-up against Preston
GILLINGHAM line-up to face Leicester
Leicester City line-up against Gillingham
PALACE line-up against Southampton
SOUTHAMPTON line-up against Palace
PORTSMOUTH line-up to face Spurs
TOTTENHAM line-up to play Portsmouth
Pompey are in the house – and we are five minutes away from team news!
No matter what people’s views are on the FA Cup, there’s something about the competition that makes it unique.
For Pompey, it’s a chance to take on the giants, and for Spurs, it’s a chance to give the fans some silverware after all this time.
Conte and Co have arrived and are walking around the pitch, taking it all in before kick-off.
Matt Doherty and Harry Kane
Cristian Romero and Son Heung-min
Djed Spence
Ryan Sessegnon
Tottenham are going on yet another cup run as they chase a first trophy in 14 years – and they’ll have to ensure there is no shock upset against League One Portsmouth.
Portsmouth find themselves in 12th place in League One and have just sacked Danny Cowley after their latest defeat to Charlton.
Spurs will hope to take advantage of the uncertainty around the club but we’ve seen it before where players find that extra gear when they know a new manager is coming in.
We are just over an hour away from kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!
One early kick-off down, but still five others ties to follow…
We broke the news earlier that Forest Green vs Birmingham City has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
The League One side would have been relishing an FA Cup tie against Championship side Blues, but it will have to be played at another date.
The good news is that we have five other games to bring you, with our main focus on Tottenham vs Portsmouth!
Rashford and Co pour more misery on Everton boss Frank Lampard
If you missed last night’s FA Cup third ound opener, you can catch up on it here.
Manchester United hosted an Everton side who are short on confidence. The Toffees got off to the worst possible start when Antony scored within four minutes.
However, Frank Lampard’s side fought back and levelled ten minutes later thanks to Conor Coady taking advantage of a howler from David De Gea.
Unfortunately for Coady, he put the ball in his own net in the second-half, and after Everton had an equaliser ruled out, Rashford sealed United’s place in the next round with a penalty.
It heaps more pressure on Lampard whose job is seriously under threat with Everton fans becoming more and more impatient.
Who will join United in the next round?
Welcome to Sportsmail’s live coverage of the FA Cup as Tottenham Hotspur host League One’s Portsmouth in the third round.
As we bring you all the live updates from north London, we will also be covering the four other 12:30 games:
Gillingham vs Leicester
Crystal Palace vs Southampton
Preston North End vs Huddersfield Town
Reading vs Watford
Forest Green vs Birmingham City has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Last night, Manchester United and Everton kicked off the FA Cup 3rd Round with Erik ten Hag’s men heading through with a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.
Arthur Parashar
Host commentator