Adrian Segecic delivered a landmark performance for Portsmouth, registering his first ever EFL hat‑trick as the south‑coast side secured a 3‑1 victory over Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium. The 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, then added a second after Lamine Cissé’s equaliser, before sealing the win with a composed finish from just inside the box eight minutes from time.
The match marked a historic occasion for the Fratton Park faithful, as it was the first time Portsmouth had ever won at Stoke’s home ground. The previous away win for the club at the venue dated back to February 1995, when Portsmouth were still playing at the old Victoria Ground. This rare triumph also ensured that Stoke, who had briefly occupied second place earlier in the campaign, would endure an eighth consecutive season finishing in the lower half of the table since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Having already secured their Championship status, Portsmouth entered the game fresh from a 5‑1 defeat to Coventry City – a result that handed the league title to Frank Lampard’s side.
Manager John Mousinho made five changes to his starting XI, most notably bringing in Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid. However, the plan was quickly altered when understudy Josef Bursik, who was making his first start since an FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January, suffered an injury just three minutes into the encounter. Ben Killip was summoned to replace him, marking his first appearance since guarding the posts against Sheffield Wednesday in September. Around three thousand Pompey supporters, buoyed by the knowledge that their club had survived relegation, filled the stands and created a festive atmosphere despite the relatively subdued pace of the game.
The first breakthrough arrived thirteen minutes before the half‑hour mark. Harvey Blair threaded a precise through‑ball that found Segecic in stride.
The former Sydney FC and A‑League star took a touch before unleashing a rising left‑footed strike that flew past 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 Cissé finding the back post from a Sorba Thomas cross, only to be denied by Killip’s quick reflexes. A scramble in the six‑yard box saw both Spurs loanee Ash Phillips and Cissé fail to convert, leaving the half‑time score at 1‑0 in Portsmouth’s favour. The visitors’ supporters expressed their displeasure with a chorus of boos as the teams headed into the dressing rooms.
The second half began with a swift turnaround. Just three minutes after the restart, Cissé rose to meet a corner delivered by player‑of‑the‑season Sorba Thomas and headed home an in‑swinging delivery, restoring parity at 1‑1.
Segecic came close to re‑establishing the lead on 62 minutes, his header striking the side netting. Four minutes later, however, he made no mistake. A cross from Stoke’s right‑winger Josh Murphy was met by Segecic, who out‑muscled defender Ben Gibson and slid the ball home from three yards out, putting Portsmouth back in front.
Portsmouth’s full‑back Jordan Williams nearly extended the lead shortly thereafter, his effort grazing the right‑hand post of Simkin’s goal. Yet the decisive moment arrived when Segecic completed his personal hat‑trick. The young forward collected a ball on the edge of the box, turned, and fired a powerful left‑footed shot from about 20 yards that slipped beneath Simkin’s grasp, sealing a 3‑1 win with eight minutes remaining.
In the post‑match interview, Segecic reflected on the broader challenges facing the club. He warned that the team’s culture needed a fundamental shift, describing the season as "abject" and emphasizing that merely being "okay" was insufficient. He called for ruthless standards, demanding players who would work hard, train diligently, and give their all regardless of weather conditions.
He also highlighted the need to recruit the right talent and to part ways with those he labelled "mercenary" or lacking commitment. Manager John Mousinho, speaking about his own future, affirmed his dedication to Portsmouth. He expressed love for the city and the club, noting that he had received no overtures from other clubs and that his contract secured his place at the club for a couple more years. Mousinho stressed that the team now had an opportunity to build momentum if they could get the fundamentals right.
The win not only provided a morale boost for the players and fans but also underscored the significance of seizing key moments in a tightly contested Championship season. With Portsmouth safely above the relegation zone, the focus now shifts to consolidating their position and aiming for a higher finish next term. Meanwhile, Stoke City must grapple with another disappointing campaign, looking to rebuild and address the issues that have kept them entrenched in the lower half of the table for eight straight seasons.
For those interested in following more EFL action, the Sky Sports app offers live coverage, and fans can stream matches via Sky NOW. The club also reminded supporters of upcoming promotions, including a £250,000 Super 6 prize pool, with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday. This victory, highlighted by Segecic’s hat‑trick, will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Portsmouth’s 2023‑24 season, showcasing both individual brilliance and the collective resolve needed to thrive in England’s second tier.