Portsmouth FC 25/26

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Season 2025 / 2026

(H) Stoke City

Championship

25 October 2025

FOOTBALL DATABASE

LOST

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	PORTSMOUTH	0		1	STOKE CITY


		90+2	Matthews (og)

	An own-goal from Hayden Matthews was enough to condemn Pompey to their second home defeat of the week. The Fratton contest with Stoke struggled to get going in the first half, but it was a different story after the break. Despite Pompey pouring forward, however, they could not put the ball in the net and were made to pay for their profligacy when the Potters profited from a slice of good fortune. John Mousinho made three changes from the side beaten by league leaders Coventry earlier in the week. Makenzie Kirk was rewarded for his goal from the bench in that contest with a full debut, while there were returns to the defence for Jordan Williams and Matthews. John Swift missed out through suspension, with Zak Swanson and Josh Knight both dropping to the bench, where they were joined by a fit-again Josh Murphy. The early start caught everyone on the pitch still sleeping, which must be the reason for an incredibly flat first half that yielded very few opportunities of note. Aaron Cresswell sent in a couple of dangerous deliveries for the visitors in the early stages, one of which was nodded wide by Divin Mubama. Bae Junho also fired over from the edge of the box, while at the other end, a Conor Chaplin corner caused problems before eventually being dealt with. The chances were still of the ‘half’ variety as the action progressed, with Kirk’s chipped effort comfortably dealt with by Viktor Johansson following good work from Marlon Pack and Andre Dozzell. Stoke had the better moments, but were proving pretty wasteful and Mubama hit a tame attempt straight at Josef Bursik. Pompey then enjoyed a bright period of play, which led to Colby Bishop sending a shot over and Pack having a free-kick kept out by Johansson. It was the visitors who finished the half stronger, however, and Million Manhoef saw one deflected shot parried away by Bursik, while a second flashed into the side netting. Bursik was called into action again after Mubama raced clear just before the whistle, with the loose ball blazed over by Junho. Half Time: Pompey 0 Stoke 0 The hosts came charging out the blocks when the action resumed, but Chaplin’s appeals that he was nudged over in the box were dismissed by referee Thomas Kirk. There was no time for the Potters to relax, however, as Pack swung in a fine cross that Kirk could only nod off target. Pompey were suddenly playing with real belief and a corner caused absolute havoc, with Pack and Kirk both seeing efforts blocked before Connor Ogilvie fired narrowly over. They continued to show plenty of attacking intent, although Regan Poole could not make a clean connection with Minhyeok Yang’s delivery. Mousinho made a double switch on 67 minutes, as Minhyeok and Williams made way for Murphy and Terry Devlin. Stoke were waiting to take a free-kick, though, and when Lewis Baker swung it in, Ashley Phillips headed wide. Pompey immediately had a great chance of their own to take the lead, as Kirk met Murphy’s cross, only for Johansson to make a fine save from point-blank range. But instead they fell behind completely against the run of play, as a Sorba Thomas cross was inadvertently nodded into his own net by Matthews. The Australia international was substituted shortly after, being replaced at the heart of defence by Knight. Pompey struggled to regain their rhythm after falling behind, with their opponents doing a good job of frustrating their search for a leveller. Márk Kosznovszky came on for Dozzell, but the hosts were growing increasing frustrated with the officials not dealing with Stoke’s time-wasting tactics. They were awarded a free-kick that was taken by Chaplin and somehow evaded everyone as it flew past the post. But the Blues were unable to seriously trouble the Potters again before the final whistle blew on a disappointing week.

Updated - 27/10/2025