Adrian Segecic celebrated his first ever EFL hat‑trick by guiding Portsmouth to a 3‑1 victory over Stoke City in the SkyBet Championship, securing the club's inaugural win at the Bet365 Stadium. The 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and after Lamine Cisse restored parity early in the second half, Segecic struck twice more to complete his personal milestone. The opening goal came when Segecic received a precise through ball from Harvey Blair, took a touch to settle himself and unleashed a rising left‑footed shot that slipped past Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, giving Pompey a 1‑0 lead.
Stoke responded before the break, with Lamine Cisse finding the back post from a Sorba Thomas cross, only to see his effort blocked by Portsmouth keeper Ben Killip. The home side pressed for an equaliser, but a scramble in the six‑yard area saw both Ash Phillips and Cisse fail to convert. The second half began with Cisse finally leveling the score in the 48th minute, heading home an in‑swinging corner delivered by Thomas. Segecic, however, was quick to answer.
After a missed header in the 62nd minute, he pounced four minutes later, out‑muscling Ben Gibson and sliding a low finish into the net from three yards out, restoring Portsmouth's advantage to 2‑1. Jordan Williams of Portsmouth came close to extending the lead later on, his effort skimming the right‑hand side of Simkin’s upright.
Yet it was Segecic who completed his hat‑trick in the 82nd minute, curling a 20‑yard left‑footed strike into the top corner, sealing a memorable personal performance and cementing the three points for his side. The win was historic for several reasons. It marked Portsmouth’s first victory at Stoke’s former Victoria Ground, a feat not achieved since February 1995. It also dealt a blow to Stoke, who had been perched near the top of the table earlier in the campaign; the defeat contributed to their eighth consecutive finish in the bottom half since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
Portsmouth entered the match with relegation fears already laid to rest, having survived their Championship battle earlier in the season. The squad had not played since a 5‑1 loss to Coventry City, a result that handed Frank Lampard’s side the league title.
Manager John Mousinho made five changes 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 replaced him, making his first appearance since a September clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Around 3,000 Pompey supporters, buoyed by their recent survival, filled the stadium and celebrated despite the match lacking high drama. The crowd’s mood shifted from boos at halftime—following Stoke’s equaliser—to cheers after Segecic’s second goal, reflecting the emotional roller‑coaster of the encounter.
Beyond the on‑field action, Segecic’s post‑match comments revealed a candid assessment of the club’s culture. He warned that a change in mentality was essential, describing the season as “abject” and emphasizing the need for ruthless standards, proper recruitment, and the removal of “mercenary” attitudes. He stressed that players must be willing to “run through a brick wall,” train hard, and give their all in every condition, whether rain, snow or sunshine. Mousinho also spoke about his own future, declaring his full focus remains on Portsmouth.
He expressed love for the city and the club, noting that he has received no offers from other clubs and that his contract secures his stay for at least another couple of years. He believes that if the right steps are taken, Portsmouth can build momentum and improve their standing. The match also featured a promotional note about the Super 6 competition, offering a £250,000 prize pool with free entry until 3 pm on Saturday. While unrelated to the football action, it underscores the broader commercial activities surrounding the Championship.
In summary, Adrian Segecic’s hat‑trick not only secured a vital three points for Portsmouth but also etched his name into club history as the first player to score a hat‑trick at the Bet365 Stadium. The win broke a 31‑year away‑victory drought at Stoke’s ground, highlighted the club’s resilience after a challenging season, and set the stage for further rebuilding under Mousinho’s leadership. The supporters left the stadium with optimism, hopeful that the cultural shift Segecic called for will translate into sustained success in the coming campaigns.