Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Portsmouth: Harry Kane closes on Jimmy Greaves’ record as he fires Spurs into fourth round

Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game as Tottenham beat Portsmouth 1-0 in an FA Cup third-round tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The goal – Kane’s 265th for the club – moves him to within one of equalling Jimmy Greaves’ record for the club.

Portsmouth started well, looking to get on the ball and cause an attacking threat, and the away side had the first real chance through Reeco Hackett-Fairchild who saw his acrobatic effort beaten away by Fraser Forster.

Meanwhile, Spurs struggled to get into any sort of passing rhythm and found it difficult to break down Portsmouth's defensive structure. The League One side, under the tutelage of caretaker manager Simon Bassey, lined up with a back five and with another three in midfield which enabled them to stay compact and force Spurs to go side to side.

Tottenham came out in the second half almost a different team, Antonio Conte's side moved the ball quicker and were playing with much more attacking purpose.

Three minutes into the second half Spurs crafted a fine chance, as Emerson Royal got up well to fire a brilliant header back across goal only for it to cannon off the inside of the post and into the arms of Joshua Griffiths.

Spurs didn't have to wait long for another big chance however and on this occasion they made it count. Kane played a cute give and go before receiving the ball on the edge of the box where he was able to open his body up and thump it home past Griffiths.

Conte's men continued to pile the pressure on Portsmouth and had a huge chance to go 2-0 up which was wildly blazed over from close range by Oliver Skipp, but Spurs were not made to pay as they controlled the closing period of the game well, allowing Portsmouth very little time on the ball.

Portsmouth fought hard and stayed defensively compact to deny Spurs a second goal but just didn't have enough to cause a threat at the other end.

After a frustrating first half in which Spurs lacked penetration and were forced to play side to side, Antonio Conte's side came out of the blocks a completely different team. They were quicker to press, reacted first to second balls and most importantly they were moving the ball with more intent and urgency. This vast improvement in the second half is something that the Tottenham supporters are getting used to. Against Crystal Palace on Wednesday it was a similar story, they went in 0-0 at half time but came out in the second half a different team and scored after three minutes before grabbing three more and ending the game 4-0 winners. In the match against Brentford on Boxing Day it was another second-half performance that rescued a point, with Conte's side scoring twice in the second period. Conte will be delighted with the win as he was on Wednesday, but he will want to figure out how to get Spurs firing from the first minute, rather than from the second half onwards.

Harry Kane, as he so often does, made the difference for Spurs and it was his goal that ensured their passage to the next round of the FA Cup. His linkup play improved in the second half too, seeing him play four key passes - one of which was a smart ball which started the move that Oliver Skipp had a real chance to score from. He dropped deep at times to get on the ball and did a lot of his best work outside the box. His goal was the only real moment of magic of the game and it sees him move to one goal behind the great Jimmy Greaves.

Tottenham Hotspur: Forster 7, Royal 7, Tanganga 7, Sanchez 7, Davies 7, Sessegnon 7, Skipp 6, Sarr 7, Bryan Gil 7, Son 7, Kane 8

Subs: Spence 6, Devine N/A

Portsmouth: Griffiths 6, Morrison 6, Raggett 6, Ogilvie 7, Swanson 7, Tunnicliffe 7, Morrell 7, Hume 6, Dale 6, Bishop 6, Hackett 6

Subs: Koroma 6, Thompson 6, Jacobs 6, Pigott 6, Curtis N/A

11' CHANCE! That would have been some goal! Reeco Hackett spins in the box and hits one on the volley but it's beaten away by Forster. A really clever attempt and it is the first shot on target for either side.

48' SO CLOSE! - How did that stay out! Emerson Royal with a brilliant header but it cannons off the inside of the post and into the arms of the goalkeeper.

50' GOAL - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Harry Kane puts Tottenham ahead! He receives the ball on the edge of the box before letting fly with his right foot. Goal number 265 for Kane, one behind Jimmy Greaves.

67' HUGE CHANCE! It should be 2-0. The Tottenham Hotspur supporters cannot believe it hasn't gone in. The ball cannons off Gil into the path of Skipp who blazed it over the bar from a few yards out.

Harry Kane has scored 14 goals in his last 14 appearances in the FA Cup, averaging a goal every 63 minutes in the competition in this period. (Via OptaJoe)