Late Pompey Goal Sinks Struggling Middlesbrough

In a dramatic turn of events, Portsmouth scored a late goal in stoppage time, securing a crucial victory that boosts their Championship survival hopes and deals a significant blow to Middlesbrough's fading automatic promotion bid. The winning goal came after a deflected volley from Andre Dozzell, off Conor Chaplin, in the final seconds of the game, ending Portsmouth's eight-game winless streak. This result leaves Middlesbrough winless in six games, now three points behind second-placed Ipswich, who have two games in hand. Portsmouth's victory keeps them a point and a place above the relegation zone. Despite dominating the game with 20 shots to Portsmouth's three, Middlesbrough have now scored just four goals in their last six games. The home side started strongly, with Alan Browne forcing an early save, but they struggled to create meaningful openings. Portsmouth's rare attack in the second half almost paid off when Terry Devlin found Colby Bishop, but the striker's audacious flick went wide. In added time, Middlesbrough nearly broke through, but Sontje Hansen's shot was cleared off the line by Dozzell. Portsmouth then won a corner, and from the clearance, Dozzell's first-time strike deflected in off his teammate, securing the win. Middlesbrough's manager, Kim Hellberg, expressed disappointment with the performance, describing it as 'poor' and 'boring,' while Portsmouth's John Mousinho hailed the result as 'amazing' and a 'brilliant three points.'