Adrian Segecic delivered a landmark performance for Portsmouth by recording his first ever EFL hat‑trick in a 3-1 victory over Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium, securing the club's inaugural win at that venue. The 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and after Lamine Cisse restored parity for Stoke two minutes into the second half, Segecic struck twice more to complete his personal treble. His second goal arrived in the 66th minute, and the decisive third came from a precise 20‑yard left‑footed finish eight minutes from full‑time, sealing all three points for the visitors.
The win was historically significant for Portsmouth, marking their first away success at Stoke since February 1995 when the club still called the Victoria Ground home. It also contributed to a broader narrative of Stoke’s ongoing struggles; the club, which had briefly hovered near the top of the table earlier in the campaign, now faces an eighth consecutive season finishing in the lower half of the Championship since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Having already ensured their survival in the second tier, Portsmouth entered the match fresh from a heavy 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, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid. However, the early stages of the game saw a further twist when understudy keeper Josef Bursik, who had not started since an FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January, was forced off after just three minutes due to injury. Ben Killip came on as his replacement, making his first appearance since a September clash with Sheffield Wednesday. Approximately 3,000 Pompey supporters, still riding the wave of relief after securing their Championship status, filled the stands.
The atmosphere was lively, though the on‑field action was initially subdued. Thirteen minutes into the first half, Segecic seized the initiative.
After receiving a well‑timed through ball from Harvey Blair, the former Sydney FC star took a moment to settle before unleashing a rising left‑footed strike that beat 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, only to see his effort saved by Killip. A subsequent scramble in the six‑yard box saw both Ash Phillips, on loan from Spurs, and Cisse fail to convert, and the home side went into the interval trailing 1-0, greeted by a chorus of boos from their own fans. The second half began with Stoke rallying quickly.
Three minutes after the restart, Cisse headed home an in‑swinging corner delivered by Thomas, equalising for the visitors and silencing the earlier jeers. Portsmouth pressed for the lead, and Segecic came close in the 62nd minute, his header striking the side netting. Four minutes later, he finally broke the deadlock.
A cross from Josh Murphy on the Stoke right wing was partially missed by Colby Bishop, but Segecic pounced on the loose ball, out‑muscling Ben Gibson and tapping it home from just three yards out. Jordan Williams of Portsmouth nearly added a third for the home side, his shot skimming the right hand post of Simkin, but the score remained 2-1. Segecic, however, completed his personal hat‑trick shortly thereafter, slotting home his third strike of the match and fourth across two games, cementing his status as the night’s standout.
Beyond the on‑field drama, Segecic’s post‑match comments reflected a broader frustration within the squad. He spoke candidly about the need for a cultural shift at Portsmouth, describing the previous season as "abject" and emphasizing the importance of hard work, ruthless ambition, and the recruitment of players with genuine commitment. He criticised the presence of "mercenary" attitudes, underscoring that merely wearing the club shirt was insufficient without a willingness to fight through adverse conditions, whether rain, snow, or sunshine. Manager John Mousinho also addressed his own future, expressing unwavering dedication to the club and the city.
He highlighted the opportunity to build momentum if the right decisions are made, noting that he has received no overtures from other clubs and that his contract secures his stay for at least another couple of years. The match also featured a promotional element: a £250,000 prize pool associated with the Super 6 competition, free to enter with entries due by 3 pm on Saturday. While the financial incentive added a layer of excitement for fans, the primary narrative remained Segecic’s extraordinary individual display and Portsmouth’s historic away win, a moment that will be remembered by supporters and players alike as a turning point in a season that saw the club secure its Championship status and look forward to rebuilding for the future.