PORTSMOUTH eased into the last 16 of the League Cup with a comfortable third-round victory against Leeds United at Fratton Park last night. More importantly, they must address the emotional extravagances of Diomansy Kamara, their record £2.3 million signing, as a matter of urgency. For the second time in three days, he was booked for removing his shirt after scoring a goal.

Kamara, the Senegal striker signed from Modena, the Italian club, was cautioned after giving Portsmouth the lead in their 1-1 draw away to Middlesbrough on Sunday and indulging in a wild celebratory strip. Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, claimed that the player spoke little English and did not know the law.

Having put Portsmouth ahead against Leeds in the fourteenth minute, after a mazy run and clinical finish, Kamara did it again. Off came the jersey, out came the yellow card. It did not help that Steve Bennett, the referee, was the official who sent off Tim Cahill, the Everton midfield player, for pulling his shirt over his head — his second bookable offence — after securing the 1-0 win away to Manchester City last month.

“We told Kamara about it on Sunday and again before this game,” Jim Smith, Redknapp’s assistant, said. “He’s an exciting and excitable talent. I suppose I can understand why he got carried away, but he has to learn to control himself. I think we’ve got it sorted now, anyway. We’re going to superglue his shirt to his shorts.”

Portsmouth should have won at a canter after Kamara’s third goal in four starts, with Eyal Berkovic slotting in a 31st-minute penalty after Gary Kelly had brought down Valery Mezague. Leeds, in danger of being overrun, kept battling, and Brian Deane gave them hope shortly before half-time with a firm header from Kelly’s deep cross. A second half of endeavour went unrewarded, and Portsmouth, after a few scares, coasted through. Getting Kamara to keep his clothes on might prove more taxing.

PORTSMOUTH (4-1-2-1-2): J Ashdown — A Griffin, L Primus, A de Zeeuw, M Taylor — A Cissé — V Mezague, R Hughes — E Berkovic (sub: Y Ayegbeni, 56min) — D Kamara (sub: P Berger, 68), R Fuller. Substitutes not used: S Hislop, D Stefanovic, A Faye. Booked: Kamara, Mezague.

LEEDS UNITED (4-1-4-1): N Sullivan — G Kelly, C Carlisle, S Walton, D Pugh — S Gregan (sub: A Keogh, 86) — Seth Johnson (sub: M Ricketts, 86), J Joachim (sub: A Lennon, 71), M Spring, F Richardson — B Deane. Substitutes not used: S Carson, J Winter. Booked: Carlisle.

Referee: S Bennett.

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