Bent happy on Spurs' bench for now

Bent, 24, has started just nine Barclays Premier League games, lost his England squad place and watched the Carling Cup Final as an unused sub.

So, allow him to savour this match-winning contribution. Bent said: "Every time an England squad is picked and you're not in, it is frustrating. I'd obviously like more minutes on the pitch."

Jermain Defoe's transfer to Portsmouth may have elevated Bent nearer the action but he expects Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane to start against Newcastle next Sunday. 'Berba and Keano are going to be first choice with the season they've had," he said.

"I have to take it as it comes. The gaffer might bring in another striker which could push me further down the pecking order and I don't really want that."

Defoe, in the stands at White Hart Lane and ineligible to play for Pompey against his former club because of Premier League rules about his transfer, will sympathise with Bent's predicament.

"Jermain went through it for a lot longer than I want to,' said Bent. 'And if things continue then I'll have to see. But I am very happy at Tottenham, I like playing football for this club, whether it's for 25 minutes or 90. Sulking won't do any good."

In front of Fabio Capello, he scored the first with what he described as a 'bread and butter striker's goal', a quick reaction and a simple header after Berbatov's volley bounced into the air. Then he produced a turn and turbo burst down the left before his low cross gave Jamie O'Hara a tap-in. Ramos's first two subs both scored, giving him the look of a tactical genius.

"Perhaps he's cleverer than me," joked Pompey boss Harry Redknapp. "People say: "How clever, he brought him on with half an hour to go" but, if we were that clever, we'd start them in the first place. It's a bit of luck."

Another of Ramos's decisions, which became a talking point, was his treatment of Jermaine Jenas. The midfielder was left out even though he was fit because 'others were in better condition' according to Ramos.

Pompey's Glen Johnson hopes for his first cap in nearly three years in France on Wednesday. Johnson's career path might make Bent uncomfortable.

Johnson regrets his lost years' at Chelsea, saying: "My development would have been better with more games. It doesn't matter how good you are if you are not playing."