Adrian Segecic delivered a historic performance for Portsmouth, registering 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 Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, added a second after Lamine Cissé’s equaliser early in the second half, and capped the win with a precise 20‑yard left‑footed strike eight minutes from the final whistle.
The win marked a milestone for Portsmouth, as it was the first time they had ever defeated Stoke on the latter’s home ground. Their previous away triumph at the venue dates back to February 1995, when the club played at Stoke’s former home, the Victoria Ground.
This rare success also contributed to a disappointing season for Stoke, who, after briefly occupying second place earlier in the campaign, are now destined for an eighth consecutive finish in the lower half of the table 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 from a heavy 5‑1 loss to Coventry City, a result that handed the league title to Frank Lampard’s side. Manager John Mousinho made five changes to his lineup for the final away fixture, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid. However, the early part of the game saw understudy keeper Josef Bursik, who had not started since an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in January, forced off after just three minutes due to injury.
Ben Killip came on as his replacement, making his first appearance since the September clash with Sheffield Wednesday. Approximately 3,000 Portsmouth supporters, buoyed by the recent confirmation of their survival in the Championship, filled the stadium.
The atmosphere was lively, though the on‑field action was initially subdued. Thirteen minutes before halftime, Segecic seized the initiative. After receiving a perfectly timed through‑ball from Harvey Blair, the former Sydney FC star took a moment to steady himself before unleashing a rising left‑footed shot that sailed over Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, giving the visitors a 1‑0 lead and marking Segecic’s eighth goal of the season.
Stoke responded before the break when Lamine Cissé met a cross from Sorba Thomas with a powerful header, only to be denied by Killip’s quick reflexes. The ball ricocheted within the six‑yard box, and both Spurs loanee Ash Phillips and Cissé were unable to convert the ensuing scramble. The home side’s frustration was evident as they left the field to a chorus of boos at halftime.
The second half began with a dramatic turnaround. Just three minutes after the restart, Cissé rose to meet a corner delivered by player‑of‑the‑season Thomas, directing a header into the net to level the scores at 1‑1. Segecic continued to menace the Stoke defence, coming close to restoring Portsmouth’s lead at the 62‑minute mark, but his header struck the side netting. Four minutes later, Segecic finally broke the deadlock.
A cross from Josh Murphy on the Stoke right wing found Segecic unmarked in the box. After a brief tussle with defender Ben Gibson, he slipped the ball home from three yards out, putting Portsmouth back in front. Full‑back Jordan Williams nearly added a third for the visitors, but his effort drifted just wide of Simkin’s right‑hand upright. At 21 years old, Segecic capped off a memorable personal display with a third goal of the evening, his fourth across two games, sealing a 3‑1 win.
His performance not only highlighted his growing importance to the squad but also underscored Portsmouth’s attacking potential as they look ahead to the next season. In the post‑match interview, Segecic spoke candidly about the club’s culture and the need for change.
He emphasized that the team had been "poor, really poor" this season and that a new, more ruthless approach was required. He called for the recruitment of players with a fighting spirit and the removal of those he described as "mercenary" or unwilling to work hard. His passionate remarks reflected a desire to overhaul the squad’s mentality and to build a side that could consistently compete at a higher level. Portsmouth manager John Mousinho also addressed his own future, stating, "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." His comments suggested stability at the helm as the club prepares for the challenges of the upcoming season.
Beyond the match itself, the article noted a promotional offer: a £250,000 prize available through the Super 6 competition, free to enter with entries due by 3 pm on Saturday. The piece also encouraged readers to download the Sky Sports app and watch EFL action on Sky via NOW, reinforcing the broader media coverage surrounding the Championship. Overall, Segecic’s hat‑trick will be remembered as a defining moment in Portsmouth’s 2023‑24 campaign, providing a bright spot in an otherwise modest season and offering a glimpse of the potential that could propel the club forward in the years to come.