Adrian Segecic celebrated a personal milestone on Saturday, delivering his first ever EFL hat‑trick as Portsmouth secured a 3-1 victory over Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium. The Australian‑born Croatian striker opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and after a brief equaliser from Lamine Cisse, he struck twice more to seal the win, giving the Pilgrims a historic first triumph at Stoke’s home ground.
The match began with Portsmouth pressing high, and it was a slick through‑ball from Harvey Blair that unlocked the Stoke defence. Segecic, a former Sydney FC standout, timed his run perfectly, collected the pass, and unleashed a rising left‑footed shot that sailed over goalkeeper Tommy Simkin. That goal marked his eighth of the season and gave the visitors an early advantage. Stoke responded before the break, with Cisse finding space at the far post after a cross from Sorba Thomas.
His effort was blocked by Portsmouth keeper Ben Killip, and the ball ricocheted around the six‑yard area before the home side could capitalize. The half‑time whistle blew with Portsmouth leading 1-0, and the crowd’s boos turned into jeers as the visitors headed to the dressing room. The second half opened with a swift response from Stoke. Just two minutes after the restart, Cisse rose highest to meet an in‑swinging corner delivered by Thomas and headed the ball home, restoring parity at 1-1.
The goal reignited the Stoke supporters, but Portsmouth quickly regained the initiative. Segecic missed a header at the 62nd minute, his attempt clanging against the side netting, but his persistence paid off four minutes later. A cross from Josh Murphy found Segecic unmarked in the box; he out‑muscled defender Ben Gibson and slotted the ball home from three yards out, putting Portsmouth back in front at 2-1. Later, full‑back Jordan Williams threatened to make it 3-1, but his effort drifted just wide of Simkin's right‑hand upright.
The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Segecic, now 21, completed his hat‑trick with a precise 20‑yard left‑footed strike that left the Stoke keeper with no chance. The goal not only sealed the three points but also marked Segecic’s fourth goal in his last two league appearances, underscoring his emerging importance to the team.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the match featured several notable personnel changes. Portsmouth’s manager John Mousinho made five alterations to his lineup, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid.
However, within three minutes of kickoff, understudy Josef Bursik, who had not started since an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in January, was forced off with an injury. Ben Killip was called upon to replace him, making his first appearance since a September clash with Sheffield Wednesday. The win was especially significant for Portsmouth, who had already secured their Championship status after a 5-1 loss to Coventry that handed the league title to Frank Lampard’s side.
The victory at Stoke represented their first away win at the venue since February 1995, when the stadium was still known as the Victoria Ground. For Stoke, the defeat marked a continuation of a difficult period; despite being second in the league earlier in the season, they are now destined for an eighth consecutive bottom‑half finish since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
In the post‑match interview, Segecic reflected on the broader challenges facing Portsmouth. He warned that the club’s culture needed a fundamental shift, describing the season as "abject" and emphasizing the need for ruthless standards, hard work, and the recruitment of players willing to fight for the badge.
He criticised complacency, mercenary attitudes, and a lack of commitment, insisting that only a collective resolve could lift the team from its current position. Mousinho, speaking about his own future, expressed unwavering loyalty to the club and the city. He highlighted the opportunity to build on the recent successes and noted that he has received no overtures from other clubs, reaffirming his intention to remain at Portsmouth for the foreseeable future. The atmosphere at the Bet365 Stadium was lively, with roughly 3,000 Pompey supporters celebrating their team's survival in the Championship.
While the match lacked the high‑octane excitement of a title‑deciding fixture, the fans appreciated the historic win and the individual brilliance of Segecic, whose performance will be remembered as one of the season’s standout moments. Off the pitch, the Sky Sports app and NOW platform continued to promote live EFL coverage, encouraging viewers to tune in for future fixtures.
In a lighter note, the article concluded with a reminder about a £250,000 prize pool associated with the Super 6 competition, reminding readers that entries must be submitted by 3 pm on Saturday to qualify for the free‑to‑play draw. Overall, Adrian Segecic’s hat‑trick not only delivered three crucial points but also signaled a potential turning point for Portsmouth as they aim to rebuild and strive for higher ambitions in the coming seasons.