It reads like the script of a clichéd buddy movie: cynical veteran forced to work with younger new recruit complains bitterly but is won over and mutually beneficial relationship begins.

To the consternation of Harry Redknapp, the manager, Avram Grant was appointed technical director at Portsmouth in the summer of 2006. By January it was decided that he would join Chelsea.

“When he went there I had a feeling that he might be taking the job,” Redknapp said. “I think it was always the case he was going to go to Chelsea in some capacity - that was always the plan. I didn’t know him when he came here. To be truthful, he was almost given to me, or put on me in a way, and I wasn’t happy with it at the time, I must be honest.

“When I first was told I reacted in the normal way I do when people do that to me and that’s to [want to] walk away or whatever. But I didn’t. I met him, I liked him and he came here and it was great. I enjoyed talking about football and we became great friends. I’m delighted for what he’s done, I really am.”

With his team fighting on four fronts, Grant is keen to embrace the challenge of choice when injuries clear and the African Cup of Nations is over. “I hope everybody will come back and we will know exactly what to do,” he said. “This is the sort of problem I have wanted all my life as a manager.” But it would be hard to improve on recent results, with Saturday’s draw halting a nine-match winning streak. Nicolas Anelka’s fine 63rd-minute goal was negated by Jermain Defoe, who missed a further two good chances as Portsmouth, spurred by Lassana Diarra, battled with passion and flair.

Defoe has scored on his debuts at each of his four clubs. “I feel like I settled in quite well and some of that is down to the manager,” the striker said. “He is a top man, I was with him at West Ham and he gives you that belief and confidence that I needed.”

Diarra was used sparingly by Chelsea, then Arsenal, but Redknapp thinks that he has a bargain at £5.5 million. “He’s got everything,” the manager said. “He could play anywhere in any team.” Anelka also rolled the credits. “I saw him in the France team six months ago and he is a very good talent,” he said. “I think he has a good future and he will be one of the biggest players in the Premier League. He is already.”

There are no selection dilemmas for Redknapp. “Diarra’s a real strong character and he’s gone to Arsène Wenger [the Arsenal manager] when he’s got left out the team and said, ‘I want to move,’ ” he said. “So I’d better make sure I don’t drop him – he’s in every week.”

PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2)

D James 8

G Johnson 7

S Campbell 7

H Hreidarsson 6

N Pamarot 6

S Davis 5 (sub: A Mvuemba, 68min 5)

R Hughes 5

L Diarra 9

N Kranjcar 7

M Baros 7

J Defoe 7

Substitutes not used: J Ashdown, L Aubey, P Mendes, Lauren. Booked: Davis, Pamarot. Next: Bolton Wanderers (a).

CHELSEA (4-1-4-1)

P Cech 6

J Belletti 6

Alex 6

T Ben-Haim 6

A Cole 6

C Makelele 6

J Cole 8

S Wright-Phillips 6

M Ballack 8

F Malouda 5 (sub: C Pizarro, 74)

N Anelka 7.

Substitutes not used: C Cudicini, S Sidwell, W Bridge, P Ferreira. Next: Liverpool (h).