Adrian Segecic delivered a sensational performance for Portsmouth, netting his first ever EFL hat‑trick as the club secured a 3-1 victory over Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium in the SkyBet Championship. The Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, giving the visitors an early advantage that would prove decisive. After Stoke equalised shortly after the interval, Segecic struck again in the 66th minute and capped his remarkable night with a third goal eight minutes from time, sealing a memorable win for Pompey. The match marked a historic moment for Portsmouth, as it was their inaugural triumph at Stoke’s home ground since the club’s days at the Victoria Ground, the last away win dating back to February 1995.
The result also added a further chapter to Stoke’s recent struggles; the club, which had briefly hovered near the top of the table earlier in the season, now faces an eighth consecutive finish in the bottom half of the Championship since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Having already secured their place in the division for another season, Portsmouth entered the fixture with a sense of relief after a heavy 5-1 defeat to Coventry City that had handed the league title to Frank Lampard’s side. Manager John Mousinho made five changes to his lineup, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid.
However, the early stages of the game saw understudy keeper Josef Bursik, who was making his first start since an FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January, forced off with an injury after just three minutes. Ben Killip stepped in as the replacement, marking his first appearance since the September clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Approximately 3,000 Pompey supporters, still buoyed by the club’s recent battle for survival, filled the stands. The atmosphere was lively, though the on‑field action was initially subdued. Thirteen minutes before the half‑hour mark, Segecic seized the initiative.
He collected a perfectly timed through‑ball from Harvey Blair, took a touch to settle himself, and unleashed a rising left‑footed strike that sailed over Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, giving Portsmouth a 1-0 lead and marking Segecic’s eighth goal of the season. Stoke responded before the break, with Lamine Cisse finding the back post from a Sorba Thomas cross, only to be denied by Killip’s reflex save. A scramble in the six‑yard box saw both the Spurs loanee Ash Phillips and Cisse fail to convert, leaving the score unchanged at the interval.
The home side’s supporters expressed their displeasure, booing the visitors as they headed to the dressing rooms. The second half began with Stoke finding a glimmer of hope.
Just three minutes after the restart, Cisse rose to meet an in‑swinging corner delivered by player‑of‑the‑season Sorba Thomas, heading the ball home to level the match at 1-1. Segecic came close to restoring Portsmouth’s lead in the 62nd minute, his header striking the side netting.
Four minutes later, he finally broke the deadlock. A cross from Josh Murphy on the right found Segecic in the box; although Colby Bishop failed to connect, Segecic out‑paced Ben Gibson and slotted the ball home from three yards out, putting Pompey back in front. Full‑back Jordan Williams nearly extended the lead for Portsmouth, but his effort drifted just wide of the right‑hand upright.
Undeterred, Segecic completed his personal hat‑trick later in the game, finishing off a swift move with a composed finish that left Simkin with no chance. The 21‑year‑old’s performance was a showcase of skill, determination, and clinical finishing, marking his third goal of the match and his fourth across two consecutive games. In the post‑match interview, Segecic spoke candidly about the club’s culture and the need for change.
He highlighted the poor standards that had plagued the team, emphasizing that the squad had been “really poor” and that the season’s results had been “abject.” He called for a ruthless approach, better recruitment, and the removal of players who lacked work ethic, stating, “We have to recruit the right players and move people on who are mercenary, don’t want to work, don’t want to train hard.” His passion was evident as he warned that complacency would not be tolerated and that only those willing to fight every week, regardless of weather, should wear the Portsmouth shirt. Manager John Mousinho also reflected on his own future, affirming his commitment to the club.
He expressed love for the city and the team, noting that he had received no offers from other clubs and that his contract secured his stay for at least another two years. Mousinho stressed that Portsmouth had an opportunity to build momentum if they could get the fundamentals right, hinting at a potential turnaround in the coming season.
Beyond the immediate match narrative, the victory carries broader implications for both clubs. For Portsmouth, the win reinforces their ability to compete in the Championship and provides a morale boost heading into the final stages of the season. For Stoke, the defeat underscores the challenges they face in climbing back up the table, highlighting the need for strategic adjustments both on and off the pitch. The match also featured a promotional element: a £250,000 prize pool associated with the Super 6 competition, free to enter with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday.
While this detail is peripheral to the sporting action, it illustrates the commercial partnerships that surround modern football and the additional incentives for fans to engage with the sport beyond the stadium. Overall, Adrian Segecic’s hat‑trick will be remembered as a defining moment in Portsmouth’s 2023‑24 campaign, a night when an emerging talent rose to the occasion, delivered a personal milestone, and helped his team secure a historic away win against a long‑standing rival.