Mido is glad to escape nightmare

Signed for £3.9 million from Marseille last summer, Mido spent just five months at Roma before being offloaded to Spurs on a one-and-ahalf-year loan. The 21-year-old failed to start a Serie A game for Luigi Del Neri's side, making only eight substitute appearances.

On Saturday, he delivered a reminder of the skills which made him a feared striker in Africa with two goals in Spurs' 3-1 victory over Portsmouth at White Hart Lane.

But the anger at his treatment by Roma burns strong. Mido said: "The last period for me was tough. Some people in Roma tried to destroy me and didn't give me the chance to prove myself with the team. So I'm happy with the decision I took to play for Tottenham which my heart chose."

After Portsmouth took a shock lead, Mido opened his account with a powerful header before putting Spurs' in front with a close-range effort from Jermain Defoe's cross. He was then substituted- - to a standing ovation - in order to get treatment for an ongoing shin injury.

Mido added: "I practised very well last week under Tottenham's great coach Martin Jol and thank God for the two goals. I am just glad to be part of this great team which is considered to be one of England's ancient clubs."

Mido now hopes an extended run of games for Spurs will boost his chances of a return to international football. Despite scoring more than 24 goals in 36 games for Egypt, the former Ajax star has been banned since last year from representing his country for repeatedly failing to turn up to international duty. It is a shame for both player and country as Mido was gaining a fearsome reputation within African football.

Mido was not alone in making his debut as Spurs ended a run of four games without a win. Former Nottingham Forest winger Andy Reid, signed in a £8 million double deal from along with Michael Dawson, was also chosen in Jol's starting line-up.

The stocky Irishman had a quiet game, but showed his class with a sublime through ball to Robbie Keane for Spurs' third goal. After finally making his Premiership bow following a year of speculation linking him with move to White Hart Lane, Reid said: "It was brilliant, I really enjoyed it."

Meanwhile, despite signing 24 players since his arrival as sporting-director last summer, Frank Arnesen's recruitment drive shows no signs of ending.

Valencia's Italian striker Bernardo Corradi is the latest player to be linked with a move to White Hart Lane. The 28-year-old's agent, Moreno Roggi, claims there was contact with Spurs during the transfer window.