Adrian Segecic delivered a landmark 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 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian striker opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, providing the home side with an early advantage that would prove decisive.
After Stoke equalised shortly after the break through Lamine Cisse, Segecic struck again in the 66th minute and completed his three‑goal haul with a composed left‑footed finish from about 20 yards out eight minutes from full‑time. The win was historically significant for Portsmouth.
It marked the first time the team had ever triumphed at Stoke’s former Victoria Ground, now known as the Bet365 Stadium, since the venue opened. The previous away success for Pompey at this ground dated back to February 1995, highlighting the rarity of the achievement.
For Stoke, the defeat was a bitter reminder of their struggles; the club, which had been positioned near the top of the table earlier in the season, now faced an eighth consecutive season finishing in the bottom half since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Portsmouth entered the match free from any relegation worries, having already secured their place in the Championship for the following season. The side were coming off a heavy 5-1 loss to Coventry City, a result 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, Schmid’s debut was cut short when he was forced off after just three minutes due to injury. Backup keeper Josef Bursik, who had not started since an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in January, was also taken off, prompting Ben Killip to step in for his first appearance since a September match against Sheffield Wednesday. Around 3,000 Portsmouth supporters, buoyed by the club’s recent survival in the Championship, filled the stands.
The atmosphere was festive, even if the on‑field action was at times subdued. Segecic’s first goal came 13 minutes before halftime after a clever through‑ball from Harvey Blair. The former Sydney FC player collected the pass, took a moment to settle, and then unleashed a rising left‑footed strike that beat Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, marking his eighth goal of the season. Stoke responded before the break, with Lamine Cisse heading an effort from a Sorba Thomas cross that was saved by Killip.
A scramble in the six‑yard box saw both Ash Phillips, on loan from Spurs, and Cisse fail to convert, and the visitors went into the interval trailing 1-0. The halftime whistle was met with boos from the Stoke fans, but the mood shifted quickly after the restart when Cisse headed in a corner delivered by Thomas, restoring parity for the home side. Segecic continued to menace the Stoke defence.
He came close to equalising again in the 62nd minute, heading the ball onto the crossbar. Four minutes later, he seized his chance: a cross from Josh Murphy on the right was flicked by Colby Bishop, and Segecic out‑paced Ben Gibson to tap the ball home from three yards out, giving Portsmouth a 2-1 lead. Jordan Williams, Portsmouth’s full‑back, almost added a third goal when his effort drifted just wide of Simkin’s right‑hand post.
Nevertheless, Segecic completed his personal hat‑trick shortly after, calmly slotting home a left‑footed shot from 20 yards that left the goalkeeper with no chance. The 21‑year‑old’s performance was a showcase of pace, positioning, and finishing ability, and it marked his fourth goal in two games. Beyond the match report, Segecic’s post‑game interview revealed his frustration with the club’s recent struggles. He spoke candidly about the need for a cultural shift, emphasizing that “okay” is not an acceptable standard for Portsmouth.
He called for ruthless recruitment, the removal of mercenary attitudes, and a commitment to hard work regardless of weather conditions. His remarks underscored a desire for a team that would fight every week, rather than one that merely goes through the motions. Manager John Mousinho also addressed his own future, expressing his love for the club and the city. He highlighted the opportunity to build momentum if the right decisions are made, and confirmed that he has a contract extending for a couple more years, with no offers from other clubs influencing his commitment.
The match also featured a promotional element: a £250,000 prize pool was advertised as part of the Super 6 competition, with entries open until 3 pm on Saturday, free of charge. In summary, Adrian Segecic’s hat‑trick not only secured a historic win for Portsmouth at Stoke’s home ground but also signalled a potential turning point for a club eager to shed the shadow of recent underperformance. The victory provided a morale boost for the fans, a platform for the manager to build upon, and a clear message from the striker that higher standards and a renewed fighting spirit are essential for future success.