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| Valencia: not just a city in Spain [GALLO/GETTY] |
Ecuador winger Luis Antonio Valencia scored a long-range screamer for Wigan as Manchester City stumbled to a 2-1 defeat at the JJB Stadium, missing the chance to go into the top four of the English Premier League.
In the other match of the day former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe scored against his old club to help earn Portsmouth a 2-0 victory at Fratton Park and keep Spurs bottom of the table.
Hart-stopper
Manchester City keeper Joe Hart was left rooted to the spot as Valencia's effort sailed over his head to give Wigan the lead on Sunday.
Collecting a headed clearance, the Ecuadorian set himself before launching an unstoppable drive into the far top corner from outside the right hand side of the box.
City, the richest club in the English Premier League following their takeover by UAE-based Abu Dhabi United Group, equalised with a close-range effort from Vincent Kompany.
But Egyptian striker Amr Zaki scored his fifth league goal of the season from the penalty spot to put Latics 10th in the table, away from the familiar territory of the relegation zone.
Defoe haunts Spurs
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| No boom time for Spurs as David Bentley manages a smile [GALLO/GETTY] |
Defoe, who left Tottenham in January after failing to hold a regular starting place, put Portsmouth ahead from the penalty spot in the first half after a handball by Jermaine Jenas.
Peter Crouch, who was once on Tottenham's books without making a first-team appearance, headed the second after the break when Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes was at fault.
Tottenham are fast emerging as rivals to Newcastle United as relegation contenders and they looked desperately short of firepower, passion and confidence at Portsmouth.
Playing with just Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko up front they created next to nothing, and not even the late sending off of Portsmouth's Lassana Diarra for a rash challenge could spark a revival from the visitors.
No celebration
Defoe did not celebrate when he beat Gomes from the spot with a penalty after 34 minutes, following a needless handball by Jenas.
When he was substituted near the end he was even applauded by the visiting fans who voiced their disapproval towards manager Juande Ramos.
Spurs had a penalty appeal turned down when substitute Aaron Lennon's cross appeared to be blocked by the hand of a defender.
Crouch made sure of the points after 68 minutes when he nodded in his first goal since joining from Liverpool.
Defeat kept Tottenham bottom of the table with just two draws to show from their six league games so far.
Portsmouth, who lost 6-0 at Manchester City last week and 4-0 at home to Chelsea in the League Cup in midweek, eased into mid-table with nine points.
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