Adrian Segecic celebrated a personal milestone by delivering his first ever EFL hat‑trick, propelling Portsmouth to a 3‑1 victory over Stoke City in the SkyBet Championship. The match, played at the Bet365 Stadium, marked Portsmouth’s inaugural win at the venue and offered a bright spot in a season that had otherwise been dominated by survival concerns. The 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute.
After collecting a precise through‑ball from Harvey Blair, Segecic took a moment to steady himself before unleashing a rising left‑footed strike that sailed over the outstretched arms of Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin. That goal gave Pompey an early cushion and set the tone for the remainder of the encounter.
Stoke responded quickly after the interval. Just two minutes into the second half, Lamine Cissé headed an in‑swinging corner from player‑of‑the‑season Sorba Thomas into the net, leveling the score at 1‑1 and restoring belief among the visitors.
The equaliser, however, proved to be short‑lived. Segecic, who was already on a rich vein of form, restored Portsmouth’s lead eight minutes later. He nudged a low, left‑footed effort from three yards out past Simkin after out‑muscling defender Ben Gibson in the box, sealing his second goal of the night. The final blow came in the 78th minute when Segecic completed his hat‑trick with a composed 20‑yard finish.
The strike, again with his left foot, curled away from the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner, cementing a 3‑0 lead that would prove decisive. A late consolation goal from Stoke ensured the final scoreline read 3‑1, but the result was enough for Portsmouth to celebrate a historic win at Stoke’s home ground – the first since February 1995 when the club played at the old Victoria Ground.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the match featured several notable personnel changes. Goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid, the Austrian newcomer, was among five alterations made by Portsmouth manager John Mousinho for the club’s final away fixture of the season. However, Schmid’s stay on the pitch was brief; within three minutes he was forced off with an injury, prompting the return of understudy Josef Bursik, who had not started since an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in January.
Bursik’s replacement, Ben Killip, made his first appearance since a September outing against Sheffield Wednesday. Around 3,000 Portsmouth supporters, buoyed by the team’s recent escape from relegation, filled the stands to witness the action.
While the overall tempo of the game was occasionally subdued, the crowd’s enthusiasm never waned, especially after Segecic’s opening goal. The fans’ chants turned to cheers when the home side’s hopes were revived by Cissé’s header, only to fall silent again as Segecic completed his personal hat‑trick. The victory also carried symbolic weight for Stoke City.
Earlier in the campaign the club had briefly occupied second place, but this defeat contributed to an eighth consecutive season finishing in the bottom half of the table since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. The loss underscored the challenges Stoke faces in rebuilding a squad capable of challenging for promotion.
In the post‑match interviews, Segecic reflected on his performance and the broader context of Portsmouth’s season. He emphasized the need for a cultural shift within the club, citing a lack of consistency and a failure to win enough games as key issues.
"We have to recruit the right players and move on those who are mercenary, don’t want to work hard, and don’t train with the intensity we need," he said. "We need a ruthless mentality, a willingness to fight every week, rain or shine." Manager John Mousinho also shared his thoughts on the future. "My full focus is on Portsmouth. I love being here and love the city," he declared.
"We have an opportunity to build something special if we get the basics right. I have no offers from other clubs and I’m committed to seeing this project through the remaining years of my contract." The match was broadcast on Sky Sports, with the Sky Sports app and NOW platform offering live coverage for fans unable to attend in person. The club’s official communications also highlighted the free-to‑play Super 6 competition, noting a £250,000 prize pool available to participants who entered by the deadline. Overall, Adrian Segecic’s hat‑trick will be remembered as a defining moment in Portsmouth’s 2023‑24 season, providing both a morale boost for the supporters and a tangible sign that the team can produce quality performances against higher‑ranked opposition.
The win at the Bet365 Stadium not only broke a 28‑year away‑victory drought but also offered a glimpse of the potential that could be unlocked if the club embraces the cultural and tactical changes called for by its players and management. The journey ahead remains challenging, but the performance on September 16 demonstrated that, with the right mindset and recruitment strategy, Portsmouth can aspire to greater achievements in the Championship.