Adrian Segecic celebrated his first ever EFL hat‑trick as Portsmouth secured a 3‑1 victory against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium, marking the southern club's inaugural win at the venue. The 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and after Lamine Cisse levelled the match early in the second half, Segecic completed his personal treble with a precise 20‑yard left‑footed strike eight minutes from the final whistle. The win was historic for Pompey, who had not claimed an away point at Stoke since the club's former Victoria Ground home in February 1995.
It also ensured that Stoke, who had briefly topped the table earlier in the campaign, would endure an eighth consecutive season finishing in the bottom half of the Championship since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Portsmouth entered the match with their relegation worries all but eliminated, having survived the drop in their previous fixture.
The squad was fresh after a brief pause following a 5‑1 defeat at Coventry that had handed the league title to Frank Lampard’s side. Manager John Mousinho made five changes to the starting XI, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid. However, just three minutes into the game, understudy keeper Josef Bursik, who was making his first start since an FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January, was forced off with an injury.
Ben Killip stepped in, marking his first appearance since the September clash with Sheffield Wednesday. Approximately 3,000 Pompey supporters, still reveling in the relief of Championship survival, filled the stands. The atmosphere was lively, though the on‑field action was initially subdued. Thirteen minutes before the half‑time break, Segecic broke the deadlock.
He collected a perfectly timed through ball from Harvey Blair, took a moment to steady himself, and then unleashed a rising left‑footed shot that sailed over Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, giving the former Sydney FC star his eighth league goal of the season. Stoke responded before the interval, with Lamine Cisse finding the back post from a Sorba Thomas cross, only to be denied by Killip’s quick reflexes. A scramble in the six‑yard box saw both Ash Phillips, on loan from Spurs, and Cisse fail to convert, and the visitors headed into the break trailing 1‑0. The home crowd expressed their displeasure with a chorus of boos, but the mood shifted dramatically three minutes after the restart when Cisse headed home from a corner delivered by Thomas, restoring parity at 1‑1.
Segecic continued to threaten Portsmouth’s lead, narrowly missing a header at the 62‑minute mark. Four minutes later, he seized his chance: a cross from Josh Murphy on the Stoke right wing found Segecic ahead of defender Ben Gibson, and the striker calmly slotted the ball home from three yards out, putting Pompey back in front at 2‑1. Full‑back Jordan Williams nearly extended the lead for Stoke, but his effort drifted just wide of Simkin’s right‑hand side post.
The young Croatian capped off a memorable individual performance with a third goal, his fourth in as many games. His final strike, a composed finish inside the box, sealed a 3‑1 win and underscored his rising status as a key player for Portsmouth. In the post‑match interview, Segecic expressed frustration with the club’s recent struggles, urging a cultural shift.
He highlighted the need for hard work, ruthless ambition, and the recruitment of players willing to fight for the team, condemning complacency and mercenary attitudes. He emphasized that “okay” is not sufficient and that the squad must strive for excellence regardless of weather conditions.
Manager John Mousinho also spoke about his commitment to the club, stating his full focus remains on Portsmouth and his affection for the city. He noted that he has received no offers from other clubs and that his contract secures his stay for another couple of years, reinforcing his dedication to building on the recent positive momentum.
The match also featured a promotional note about the Sky Sports app and a reminder that the £250,000 Super 6 prize is available for free entry until 3 pm on Saturday, adding a commercial footnote to the sporting narrative. Overall, the victory not only broke a long‑standing away drought at Stoke but also provided a morale boost for a Portsmouth side looking to consolidate their Championship status and lay the foundations for future success.