A half-time reshuffle and Steed Malbranque's header into an empty net saved a point for Tottenham at Fratton Park but Martin Jol's side are still suffering Premiership travel sickness after just one away win all season in the league.

They deserve credit, though, for a gallant fightback after Portsmouth conjured a goal out of nowhere to go head just before the half hour through recalled striker Benjani Mwaruwari.

In the end, David James' goalkeeping athleticism was needed to deny the disappointing Jermain Defoe and the highly promising Tom Huddlestone, although Linvoy Primus was near to another unlikely winner in the last few minutes for the Harry Redknapp's team.

In an undistinguished first half, Spurs looked slightly the more likely side and their former favourite Sol Campbell had to produce a smart block to deny the dangerous Dimitar Berbatov a clear shot at goal after the Bulgarian had earlier gone close with a header and then laid on a chance for Hossam Ghaly with a blistering left wing run and cross.

Matt Taylor's last-ditch tackle prevented a goal and Pompey were thankful after a sluggish start despite the return of their two main strikers Kanu and Benjani

But, as so often, they produced a goal out of nothing - this time from their first direct shot at goal after nearly half-an-hour.

Benjani, who has been out with hamstring trouble, and has an unwanted reputation as a misser of chances, received the little bit of luck he needed when returning to the side in tandem with Kanu.

After taking substitute Niko Kranjcar's pass in space he saw his shot fly in off the belated challenge of Tottenham's Calum Davenport, deputising for the injured Ledley King.

Spurs looked stunned because it was the first genuine threat to their defence but six minutes later they were almost handed a gift equaliser when Campbell left it to Taylor to clear from the edge of the area after hunting down Defoe's run at goal.

Alarmingly, the midfielder who has shown a recent penchant for scoring, swiped his effort dangerously near James' far post for a corner.

It was probably nearer than any Tottenham player had managed so far despite their early dominance and it was a rarity for James when he was called upon to pluck Ghaly's cross out of the air just before half-time.

Egyptian Ghaly, who had lost four teeth when caught on the head by former Spurs defender Noe Pamarot's wild tackle in the opening minutes, did not come out for the second half.

And Spurs, who had no place for their other Egyptian, striker Mido, in the squad, sent on the versatile Murphy for the second half to aid the attacking efforts of Berbatov and Defoe.

All changed after the break with James having to keep out Davenport's shot following a lack of control for once by the talented Berbatov as Huddlestone's cute cross came swirling in.

But the 6ft 5in keeper was helpless to prevent Malbranque heading into an empty net for Tottenham's equaliser in the 50th minute, courtesy of Murphy's spot-on cross.

And until the galvanising force of veteran Andy Cole - left out despite his brilliant goal in the defeat at Bolton on Saturday and sent on in the 73rd minute - it was Spurs who ruled the roost with James forced into two more superb stops. He kept out Defoe's drive after a lively run and then Huddlestone's vicious low shot near the foot of a post.

In the end, though it was yeoman defender Primus - a two-goal Boxing day hit-man against West Ham - who had the best chance to win it with a header over the angle from Taylor's cross.

Teams:

Portsmouth James, Johnson, Primus, Campbell,Pamarot (Kranjcar 13), O'Neil (Cole 73), Pedro Mendes, Davis,Taylor, Kanu, Mwaruwari.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, O'Brien, Fernandes.

Booked: Taylor.

Goals: Mwaruwari 29.

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Davenport, Lee,Ghaly (Murphy 46), Huddlestone, Tainio,Malbranque (Gardner 79), Berbatov, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Zokora, Ziegler.

Booked: Tainio, Lee, Davenport, Malbranque.

Goals: Malbranque 50.

Att: 20,194

Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).