Adrian Segecic delivered a memorable performance by securing his first ever EFL hat‑trick, guiding Portsmouth to a 3‑1 victory over Stoke City in the SkyBet Championship. The win marked a historic moment for the club, as it was the first time they had ever conquered the Bet365 Stadium. Segecic, an Australian‑born Croatian, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and after a brief equaliser from Lamine Cisse, he struck twice more to seal the three points for the south coast side.
The match began with both teams eager to assert themselves. Portsmouth, having already ensured their survival in the Championship after a 5‑1 loss to Coventry that handed the league title to Frank Lampard's side, entered the game with confidence. Manager John Mousinho made five changes to his starting XI, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid. However, within three minutes of kickoff, the understudy goalkeeper Josef Bursik, who was making his first start since an FA Cup defeat by Arsenal in January, suffered an injury and was forced off.
Ben Killip came on as his replacement, marking his first appearance since a September match against Sheffield Wednesday. Around 3,000 Pompey supporters filled the stadium, celebrating the club's recent escape from relegation despite the relatively subdued atmosphere.
The first breakthrough came 13 minutes before the half‑hour mark when Segecic, a former Sydney FC talent, collected a precise through‑ball from Harvey Blair. He took a moment to steady himself before unleashing a powerful left‑footed strike that sailed over Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, giving Portsmouth a 1‑0 lead and marking Segecic's eighth goal of the season. Stoke responded before the break, with Lamine Cisse finding the back post from a Sorba Thomas cross.
The ball was initially saved by Killip, but the rebound fell to Ash Phillips, a loanee from Spurs, and Cisse was unable to convert, leaving the score unchanged. The home side's frustration was evident as they were booed by the crowd at halftime, a reaction that quickly turned to applause three minutes into the second half when Cisse headed in a well‑timed corner delivered by Thomas, restoring parity at 1‑1. Segecic continued to menace the Stoke defence. He had a near‑miss in the 62nd minute, heading the ball onto the crossbar, but four minutes later he finally broke the deadlock.
A cross from Josh Murphy on the right found Segecic in the box; he out‑paced Ben Gibson and calmly slotted the ball home from three yards out, putting Portsmouth back in front at 2‑1. Full‑back Jordan Williams almost extended the lead for Portsmouth, but his effort drifted just wide of the right‑hand side of the goal.
The young striker, only 21, completed his hat‑trick with a composed finish from 20 yards out, striking the ball with his left foot and sending it into the top corner eight minutes from full‑time. This third goal not only secured the win but also marked Segecic's fourth goal in his last two matches, underscoring his rising importance to the team.
Beyond the on‑field action, the match carried historical significance. Portsmouth's last away victory at Stoke's former Victoria Ground came back in February 1995, making this triumph a rare and celebrated achievement. For Stoke, the defeat added to a string of underwhelming seasons; despite being second in the league earlier in the campaign, they are now destined for an eighth consecutive finish in the lower half of the table since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. In the post‑match interview, Segecic expressed frustration with the broader state of the club, urging a cultural shift.
He highlighted the need for a more ruthless mentality, better recruitment, and a departure for players lacking commitment. His passionate remarks reflected a desire for a hard‑working, resilient squad capable of competing at a higher level.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho also spoke about his own future, emphasizing his dedication to the club and the city. He reiterated his contractual commitment and his belief that, with the right decisions, Portsmouth can build momentum and aim for greater success in the coming seasons.
The match also featured a promotional element: a £250,000 prize in the Super 6 competition, free to enter until 3 pm on Saturday. While the financial incentive added excitement for fans, the primary focus remained on the historic win and Segecic's standout performance, which will be remembered as a turning point for Portsmouth as they look to consolidate their place in the Championship and push for further progress.