Adrian Segecic delivered a landmark performance for Portsmouth, securing his first ever EFL hat‑trick as the south‑coast side edged 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’s equaliser early in the second half, Segecic struck twice more to complete a personal treble and seal all three points for the visitors. The match began with Portsmouth pressing high, and a precise through‑ball from Harvey Blair found Segecic making a darting run behind the Stoke defence. The former Sydney FC and A‑League standout took a touch to settle the ball before unleashing a rising left‑footed shot that swerved past goalkeeper Tommy Simkin and into the top corner, giving Pompey a 1‑0 lead and marking Segecic’s eighth league goal of the campaign.
Stoke responded before the interval, with Lamine Cisse meeting a cross from Sorba Thomas at the far post. His effort struck the post and rebounded into the six‑yard box, where Ash Phillips and Cisse both attempted to force the ball home, only to see it bounce harmlessly away.
The visitors continued to press, but a defensive block from Portsmouth’s back line, anchored by new signing Nicolas Schmid, kept the score at 1‑0 at the break. The second half opened with a dramatic incident: goalkeeper Josef Bursik, who had started the match for the first time since a FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January, was forced off after just three minutes due to injury.
Ben Killip was summoned from the bench, making his first appearance since a September encounter with Sheffield Wednesday, and he quickly settled into the role, making several crucial saves to preserve Portsmouth’s lead. Stoke’s perseverance paid off in the 46th minute when Cisse rose highest from a Thomas corner and headed the ball past the Portsmouth defence to level the scores at 1‑1. The goal sparked a brief surge of optimism among the home supporters, but the celebration was short‑lived. Just two minutes later, Segecic demonstrated why he had become the club’s top scorer.
After a low cross from Josh Murphy on the right, Segecic out‑muscled defender Ben Gibson, slipped into the box and slotted a calm, three‑yard finish past Simkin to restore Portsmouth’s advantage. The third goal arrived eight minutes from full‑time. Full‑back Jordan Williams struck from the edge of the area, his shot skimming the right‑hand upright of Simkin’s goal. Though the effort did not find the net, it underscored the relentless pressure Portsmouth applied.
Segecic, already on a roll, collected a loose ball inside the six‑yard line and, with a swift side‑footed strike, sent the ball into the back of the net for his third of the match and fourth in as many games. The crowd, estimated at around 3,000 Pompey fans celebrating their recent survival in the Championship, erupted in cheers as the final whistle confirmed a historic 3‑1 victory. Beyond the on‑field drama, the win carried historical significance.
It marked Portsmouth’s first triumph at the Bet365 Stadium since February 1995, when the club’s predecessor, the Victoria Ground, hosted a victorious fixture. For Stoke City, the defeat represented a continuation of a difficult period; despite having been second‑placed earlier in the season, they are now destined for an eighth consecutive bottom‑half finish since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. In the post‑match interviews, Segecic reflected on his personal achievement and the broader challenges facing the club. He emphasized the need for a cultural shift, noting that “the culture needs to change.
It is not right. We have been poor, really poor, and we have not been good enough to win enough games this season. This one was abject.
Things need to change.” He called for a ruthless approach to recruitment, urging the club to bring in players willing to work hard, train intensively, and give their all week after week, regardless of weather conditions. Portsmouth manager John Mousinho, who made five changes to his starting XI for the final away game of the season, expressed his commitment to the club’s future. “My full focus is on Portsmouth. I love being here and love the city.
We have an opportunity if we get things right to start kicking on. I have had absolutely nothing from any other football club up and down the country. I have got another couple of years here in terms of my contract,” he said, signalling his intention to stay and build on the momentum generated by the victory.
The match also featured a notable substitution narrative. After Bursik’s early exit, Killip’s composure between the sticks helped Portsmouth maintain a clean sheet after the equaliser. His performance, combined with the defensive solidity of the back line, highlighted the depth of the squad despite the numerous changes made by Mousinho. Overall, Segecic’s hat‑trick will be remembered as a defining moment in Portsmouth’s 2023‑24 campaign, a season that saw the club secure its Championship status and finish on a high note.
The win not only provided three vital points but also restored confidence among the supporters and the playing staff, offering a platform to build upon in the upcoming season. The club’s fans left the stadium buoyed by the spectacle, hopeful that the cultural overhaul advocated by Segecic and the strategic vision of Mousinho will translate into sustained success and perhaps a push for promotion in the years ahead. (Note: The £250,000 Super 6 prize mentioned in the original report is unrelated to the match and remains available for free entry until 3 pm Saturday.)