Adrian Segecic delivered a landmark performance for Portsmouth, securing his first ever EFL hat‑trick as the south coast side edged past Stoke City 3‑1 at the Bet365 Stadium in the SkyBet Championship. The 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and after Lamine Cisse pulled one back early in the second half, Segecic struck twice more to complete a personal treble and seal three points for the visitors. The opening goal came after a clever through ball from Harvey Blair found Segecic in stride. The former Sydney FC and A‑League standout took a touch before unleashing a rising left‑footed strike that swerved past Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin, giving Portsmouth a deserved lead and marking Segecic's eighth goal of the campaign.
Stoke responded before the break, with Cisse heading an in‑swinging corner from player‑of‑the‑season Sorba Thomas onto the post, only to be denied by Portsmouth goalkeeper Ben Killip, who made a crucial save to preserve the advantage. The second half began with Stoke equalising in the 48th minute when Cisse met another Thomas corner, this time finding the back of the net with a powerful header.
The goal sparked a brief celebration from the home fans, but the jubilation was short‑lived. Just four minutes later, Segecic restored Portsmouth's lead. After a cross from Josh Murphy on the right, Segecic out‑muscled defender Ben Gibson inside the six‑yard box and slotted a low finish from three yards out, sending the travelling Pompey supporters into rapturous applause.
Portsmouth continued to press, and full‑back Jordan Williams came close to extending the lead, his effort grazing the right‑hand post. However, it was Segecic who completed his hat‑trick in the 78th minute.
Collecting a pass on the left flank, he cut inside and fired a precise left‑footed shot from about 20 yards, beating Simkin at his near post and sealing a memorable individual display. The goal not only capped a personal three‑goal haul but also marked his fourth goal in just two games, underlining his growing importance to the team.
The victory was historically significant for Portsmouth. It was the first time the club had won at the Bet365 Stadium since the venue opened, and the last away win at Stoke's ground dated back to February 1995 when the club was still based at the Victoria Ground. Moreover, the win contributed to Stoke's ongoing struggles; the club, which had briefly topped 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.
Portsmouth entered the match with no relegation worries after securing survival earlier in the campaign, following a 5‑1 defeat to Coventry that had handed the title to Frank Lampard's side. Manager John Mousinho made five changes to his starting XI, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid.
However, Schmid was forced off after just three minutes due to injury, prompting the return of Josef Bursik, who made his first start since an FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January. Ben Killip subsequently came on as a substitute, making his first appearance since a September match against Sheffield Wednesday. Around 3,000 Pompey fans attended the game, celebrating the club's recent survival despite the relatively modest attendance. The atmosphere was lively, with chants and cheers echoing through the stadium, especially after each of Segecic's goals.
The supporters' enthusiasm highlighted the relief and optimism felt after a season that had been fraught with uncertainty. In the post‑match interviews, Segecic reflected on the broader challenges facing the club. He stressed the need for a cultural shift, describing the previous season as "abject" and emphasizing the importance of hard work, ruthless ambition, and recruiting players with the right attitude.
He warned against complacency, stating that merely being "okay" was insufficient and that the team must strive for excellence, even in adverse conditions such as rain, snow, or heat. John Mousinho also spoke about his commitment to Portsmouth. He expressed his love for the city and the club, confirming his focus remains solely on Pompey. Mousinho noted that he has received no offers from other clubs and that he intends to honour the remaining years of his contract, aiming to build on the momentum generated by the recent victory.
The win also had financial implications for fans, as the £250,000 Super 6 prize pool was highlighted as a free‑to‑play opportunity, with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday. This promotional element added an extra layer of excitement for supporters following the match. Overall, Segecic's hat‑trick not only secured a crucial three points for Portsmouth but also symbolised a turning point in the club's narrative—a moment of individual brilliance that aligned with a collective desire to reshape the team's culture, improve performances, and aim higher in the Championship hierarchy.