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Pompey soared up to 18th
position in the Championship standings after beating Stoke 3-1 at Fratton
Park. Colby Bishop’s early penalty was quickly followed by a Callum Lang header to give the hosts a commanding lead. And although Ben Wilmot reduced the visitors’ deficit, Connor Ogilvie secured the points early in the second half. John Mousinho stuck with the same side that fought from behind to beat promotion-chasing Middlesbrough on the south coast at the weekend. And that faith was immediately repaid as his side scored twice inside the contest’s opening 10 minutes. Viktor Johansson had already done well to stop the ball crossing the line when Matt Ritchie’s corner hit Isaac Hayden and ricocheted towards goal. Just moments later, though, Ogilvie swung in a cross and Lang received a shove in the back from debutant Josh Wilson-Esbrand. Referee Josh Smith pointed straight to the spot and although Johansson guessed the right way, the penalty from BISHOP was fired into the top corner. The celebrations had barely died down when the lead was doubled – and it was Nicolas Schmid who provided the assist. His long kick up the pitch was completely missed by Wilmot and LANG nipped in to head the ball over Johansson and into the net. It might have got even better for the hosts, as a low effort from Lang was then deflected narrowly past the post. And an angled drive from Josh Murphy was also gathered by Johansson as the Blues kept piling on the pressure. But Stoke began to settle and dominate on the ball, with a 25-yard Lewis Baker attempt flying just off target. They got themselves back into the contest on 27 minutes, as the two players culpable for the goals they conceded combined. A corner was played short and Wilson-Esbrand swung in a fine cross that was headed home by Wilmot. Jordan Williams was impressing at the back for Pompey and made a great block to deny Baker before the break. The home side still looked threatening on the break, but were unable to test Johansson as the half drew to a close. Half Time: Pompey 2 Stoke 1 Stoke would have gone in for the interval confident that they had got themselves right back into the game. But instead of making a fast opening to the second period, they found themselves further behind within four minutes of the restart. Freddie Potts swung in a corner from the left and although Rob Atkinson could not make a connection, OGILVIE took a touch before firing into the roof of the net. With Fratton Park rocking, the hosts sensed blood and Murphy’s fierce effort was held by Johansson before Isaac Hayden sent a shot wide. The visitors responded with a triple substitution just before the hour mark, as they tried to rebuild again. One of those introduced, Nathan Lowe, did well to nod behind after Marlon Pack had headed a Potts free-kick towards Atkinson. Still Pompey kept pouring forward and a rocket from Ritchie was beaten away by Johansson, with Bae Junho clearing before Williams could get to the loose ball. And when they stole possession and Ritchie fed Bishop, the striker drilled a low shot inches past the post. Mousinho made a switch on 67 minutes, with fresh legs added to midfield as Hayden made way for Andre Dozzell. A Stoke substitution at the same time saw League Two title-winning hero Enda Stevens enter the fray. Pompey continued to look more than comfortable, with their opponents struggling to get out of their own half. Ritchie was given an opportunity to put his feet up for the closing stages, replaced by Zak Swanson on 83 minutes. The final switch then saw Terry Devlin come on for Williams, who was rightly afforded a standing ovation for an immense performance. And Pompey saw out the final few moments with relative ease to ensure their imperious Fratton form continued. |
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