Super-subs Darren Bent and Jamie O'Hara both scored late on as Tottenham ground out a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth at White Hart Lane.Bent and O'Hara - both on as 70th-minute substitutes - helped turn the game in Tottenham's favour after they grabbed a goal apiece inside 100 seconds of one another.
The breakthrough eventually arrived after 80 minutes when Bent tucked home a header from six yards, while O'Hara netted two minutes later after more good work from the former Charlton hitman.
Spurs made a bright start with Pascal Chimbonda failing to make proper contact in front of goal, while Robbie Keane's low effort forced a smart save from David James.
James was then nearly embarrassed by Keane when the England keeper recovered just in time to make a clearance after failing to notice the impish striker lurking behind behind him.
As play switched down the other end, Paul Robinson made a fine save to push Sean Davis' 25-yard chip over the bar, while Chimbonda flashed a dipping volley inches wide with James rooted to the spot.
Spurs then had the ball in the net after 28 minutes when a flowing move resulted in Dimitar Berbatov rounding James and sliding the ball home, but the Bulgarian was correctly narrowly flagged offside in the build-up.
Michael Dawson then smashed a rising shot against the crossbar after the ball fell his way in the penalty area, while Tom Huddlestone rifled a volley inches over the bar as the half drew to a close.
And Spurs picked up where they left off after the break with Huddlestone and Aaron Lennon both firing openings wide.
The hosts continued to probe but found their final ball just falling short and with 20 minutes left, Ramos introduced Bent and O'Hara for Dawson and Lennon.
Portsmouth then came close to the breakthrough when Kanu headed a bouncing ball past Robinson, but his header lacked conviction and Chimbonda was able to hack the ball clear from six yards out.
But the breakthrough eventually arrived in the 80th minute when Bent headed home from six yards out after he stretched to connect with Berbatov's mis-hit volley.
It was the 100th Premier League goal White Hart Lane had witnessed this season and goal number 101 was just moments away when Bent rounded Hermann Hreidarsson, drew James and played the ball across goal for O'Hara to fire into the empty net for his first league goal for the club.
The victory was no less than Spurs deserved and it consolidates their position in 11th place, while Pompey remain sixth.
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