Adrian Segecic delivered a landmark performance for Portsmouth, securing his first ever EFL hat‑trick as the south‑coast side edged out Stoke City 3‑1 at the Bet365 Stadium in the SkyBet Championship. The 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian striker opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and after a brief equaliser from Lamine Cissé, he completed his three‑goal haul with a precise left‑footed strike from about 20 yards out, sealing the win with eight minutes remaining. The victory was historic for Pompey, marking their inaugural triumph at Stoke’s home ground.
The last time Portsmouth had won away at Stoke dated back to February 1995, when they played at the former Victoria Ground. This rare success also meant that Stoke, who had been sitting second in the table earlier in the season, will now endure their eighth consecutive finish in the bottom half of the division—a slump that has persisted since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Having already secured their place in the Championship for another season, Portsmouth entered the match fresh after a 5‑1 loss to Coventry City, a result that confirmed the title for Frank Lampard’s side. Manager John Mousinho made five changes to his starting XI, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid.
However, the early part of the game saw further disruption when understudy goalkeeper Josef Bursik, who had not started since an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in January, was forced off after just three minutes due to injury. Ben Killip stepped in, making his first appearance since he last guarded the net against Sheffield Wednesday in September. Approximately 3,000 Portsmouth supporters, still riding the wave of relief after securing survival in the Championship, filled the stands.
The atmosphere was celebratory, though the on‑field action was relatively subdued in the opening stages. Thirteen minutes before the half‑hour mark, Segecic broke the deadlock. After receiving a well‑timed through ball from Harvey Blair, the former Sydney FC talent took a moment to settle before unleashing a rising left‑footed shot that sailed past Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin, giving Pompey a 1‑0 lead and marking Segecic’s eighth goal of the season. Stoke responded before the break.
Lamine Cissé found space at the back post from a cross by Sorba Thomas, but his effort was blocked by Killip. The ball ricocheted around the six‑yard box, and despite attempts from Spurs loanee Ash Phillips and Cissé, the ball could not be forced over the line. The home side’s frustration was evident as they left the field at halftime to a chorus of boos from the Portsmouth fans.
The second half began with a swift turnaround of fortunes. Just three minutes after the restart, Cissé headed home an in‑swinging corner delivered by player‑of‑the‑season Thomas, restoring parity at 1‑1. Segecic came close to regaining the lead at the 62‑minute mark, only to see his header hit the side netting. Four minutes later, he finally broke the deadlock again.
A cross from Josh Murphy on the right found Segecic, who out‑muscled defender Ben Gibson and slotted the ball home from three yards out, putting Portsmouth back in front. Portsmouth’s full‑back Jordan Williams almost added a fourth goal, but his effort drifted just wide of Simkin’s right‑hand upright.
Nevertheless, Segecic completed his personal hat‑trick shortly thereafter, sealing a memorable individual display that also represented his fourth goal across two consecutive games. Following the match, Segecic spoke candidly about the club’s culture and the need for a fundamental shift.
He highlighted the poor performances that had plagued the team throughout the season, describing the overall standard as “abject” and emphasizing that “okay is not what we are aiming for.” He called for ruthless recruitment, the removal of mercenary attitudes, and a renewed work ethic, stating that players must be willing to “run through a brick wall” and give their all regardless of weather conditions. John Mousinho, the Portsmouth manager, also shared his thoughts on his future with the club.
He affirmed his full commitment to Portsmouth, expressing love for both the club and the city. Mousinho noted that he has received no overtures from other clubs and that his contract secures his presence at the club for at least a couple more years, giving him the stability to focus on building a competitive side. The match also featured a promotional element: a £250,000 prize pool associated with the Super 6 competition, which remains free to enter, with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday. In summary, Adrian Segecic’s hat‑trick not only secured a vital three points for Portsmouth but also broke a decades‑long away‑win drought at Stoke’s stadium.
The win provided a morale boost for a squad that had already ensured its Championship status, while also underscoring the broader challenges facing Stoke City as they continue to grapple with a prolonged period of under‑performance since their Premier League relegation. The post‑match comments from both Segecic and Mousinho highlight a clear desire for cultural change, stronger recruitment, and a renewed fighting spirit as Portsmouth looks ahead to the next season.