The Premier League game between Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur at Fratton Park on Saturday, Oct 17 2009.
There were enough subplots at Fratton Park to fill a Dick Francis novel and, despite the best efforts of Jermain Defoe, there was little doubt who would be cast in the lead role.
It will be exactly a year next Sunday since Harry Redknapp walked away from Portsmouth for the second time and, on his return, the sporadic abuse from sections of the Fratton Park crowd was no less predictable than Defoe scoring in a Tottenham Hotspur victory.
The major twist, though, also involved Defoe, who faces an automatic three-match ban for violent conduct after receiving a straight red card for blatantly treading on the calf of Aaron Mokoena as the Portsmouth captain lay on the ground.
Redknapp had argued passionately all week that he deserved only respect for his achievements at Portsmouth but, with ‘Judas’ placards being handed out at Fratton train station and ‘Two Tribes Going to War’ blaring out over the tannoy as the team gathered in the tunnel, the initial omens were hardly encouraging.
Yet aside from the occasional obscene chant, Portsmouth’s FA Cup-winning manager was generally welcomed back respectfully and actually exchanged pleasantries and handshakes with several fans before signing autographs and heading for the dugout.
He then showed further class by remaining motionless in his seat when Tottenham scored their two goals.
In truth, it was the returning former Portsmouth players, particularly Defoe, who were singled out for most vitriol.
Defoe left Fratton Park in January and, having missed England’s World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus with a hand injury, almost put Tottenham ahead after nine minutes. Tom Huddlestone had cut the defence open but Defoe’s shot cannoned off the inside of David James’ near-post and back across the goal.
Inevitably another former Portsmouth player was involved when Tottenham did take the lead after 29 minutes, with Niko Kranjcar’s corner headed beyond James by Ledley King.
The ease with which King found space in the Portsmouth penalty area will have infuriated manager Paul Hart, especially after Portsmouth had actually carried most of the first-half threat only to be let down by a familiar lack of confidence in front of goal.
Most culpable was Aruna Dindane, who somehow guided the ball over from three yards when Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes had already been beaten by Tommy Smith’s cross. It will rank as one of the misses of the season.
Portsmouth were also denied by a wonderful reflex save from Gomes after a powerful shot from Kevin-Prince Boateng had been deflected by Smith.
Such profligacy was punished on the stroke of half-time when Jermaine Jenas exchanged a simple one-two with Huddlestone and then crossed for Defoe to double the lead. It was his ninth of the season and a further reminder just why he now remains well clear of Michael Owen in Fabio Capello’s England pecking order.
Admirably, Portsmouth’s commitment never dipped and, after Smith and Dindane missed further chances, Boateng, a former Tottenham midfielder, provided a real lifeline when his drilled shot flew past Gomes from the most unlikely of angles.
Defoe’s needless sending-off further galvanised Portsmouth but, despite playing for more than half-an-hour against ten men, they could not find a way past the excellent Gomes.
The pick of the saves was a brilliant diving block to deny Hassan Yebda, with the frustration eventually getting to Michael Brown, who was sent off in injury-time for two bookings.
Aside from Defoe’s antics and the return of Redknapp, the main other intrigue surrounded events in the boardroom.
The recent takeover at Portsmouth has averted the threat of administration but, less than a fortnight after Ali Al-Faraj purchased 90 per cent of Sulaiman Al-Fahim’s shares, there is tension in the air.
As of Thursday, Faraj had not deemed it necessary to even speak with his manager - usually the most important employee at any football club - although he has appointed a director of football without seeking Hart’s opinion.
Avram Grant watched this match from the directors’ box but is still awaiting a work permit and is not expected to begin until next week. Having failed to obtain a business visa in time to travel to England for today's game, Faraj was represented by brother Ahmed.
There was also no sign of non-executive chairman Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who has upset senior figures at the club with an interview in an Arabic newspaper. Legal advice is being sought to see if it is possible to remove him from his current post.
Amid all the uncertainty behind the scenes, Hart is drawing hope from Tottenham’s position this time last year, when they had only two points after eight games last season.
“I have no doubt we have both the squad and right qualities to emulate Spurs’ recovery last season and get out of trouble,” he said.
Fighting talk but, after the departure of Redknapp and much of the squad he so astutely constructed, optimism and spirit are the main qualities that remain at Portsmouth.
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