Redknapp clapped supporters and signed autographs in the dug-out, despite fears of a hostile reaction from Pompey supporters towards the manager who won them the FA Cup two seasons ago.

Former Pompey striker Jermain Defoe, however, was dismissed for a stamp on Aaron Mokoena after doubling Spurs' lead before the break, with Tottenham old boy Kevin-Prince Boateng pulling a goal back after the interval to set up a tense finale.

"There was no trouble," Redknapp said. "I sat among the fans and they were fantastic, so it all got hyped out of nothing."

With Pompey bottom of the Barclays Premier League and struggling since Redknapp's departure nearly a year ago, the Spurs boss was unsure about what reception he would receive.

"It was a difficult day," he admitted. "I couldn't believe what I was reading, I thought 'why?'

"The club did very well out of me. Other people leave football clubs so what have I done wrong? I didn't know what to expect because of the different things being said."

Ledley King opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark with a header, capitalising on indecision from David James, who returned from the knee injury that ruled him out of England's win over Belarus last Wednesday.

Defoe tapped in for the second but, after Boateng volleyed home, the England striker was dismissed for his clash with Mokoena.

"If he kicked him, for sure he should be sent off," Redknapp said. "I told him 15 times before the game not to react if he gets kicks. Sure enough that is what he did."

Spurs had to rely on Heurelho Gomes' heroics in goal to keep them ahead.

"When he came to the club, Tony Adams said Tottenham had signed one of the best in the world because he had seen him in Holland," Redknapp said. "He didn't look like that to begin with, he was having a nightmare when I took over. But he really looks the part. In training he's looked fantastic. He's fit now and a top goalkeeper."

The win takes Spurs to third in the league, three points behind leaders Manchester United, and has increased hope of them breaking into the top four.

"We have to believe," Redknapp said. "That (the top four) is the aim. This is a year when the top teams are getting beaten. Chelsea got done against Villa, Liverpool have lost a few already. Manchester City could achieve anything. We could push to be around that top end."

Pompey boss Paul Hart, who also had Michael Brown sent off in second-half stoppage time after he picked up a second yellow card, was left to rue Aruna Dindane's open-goal miss in the first half - but he was encouraged by the overall performance.

"We started the game very well and should have gone ahead, then there were two instances that cost us dearly," he said. "We can't afford spells like that.

"To turn it around and press Tottenham was a terrific effort. I'm convinced that this group of players will continue getting better and better."

On Dindane's incredible miss, Hart added: "Strikers don't miss goals on purpose. Some of the football to get in that position was excellent. Next week he'll get in those positions and stick away four of them."