Adrian Segecic, the 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian forward, celebrated a personal milestone by delivering his first ever EFL hat‑trick as Portsmouth secured a 3-1 victory over Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium. The win marked Portsmouth's inaugural triumph at the venue and added another memorable chapter to a season that saw the club stave off relegation fears and finish comfortably in the Championship. The match opened with a burst of excitement when Segecic, playing his first full season for the Pilgrims, found the back of the net in the 32nd minute. After a swift, threaded pass from Harvey Blair, the former Sydney FC and A‑League star slipped into space and unleashed a rising left‑footed strike that sailed past Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, giving the home side an early lead and sending the roughly 3,000 Pompey supporters into a brief celebration.
This goal was Segecic's eighth of the campaign and underscored his growing importance to the team’s attacking arsenal. Stoke responded before the break, with Lamine Cisse heading in a well‑delivered corner from player‑of‑the‑season Sorba Thomas to level the scores at 1-1. The equaliser came just two minutes into the second half, reigniting hopes among the visitors and prompting a flurry of attempts from both sides inside the six‑yard box. Despite several close chances, including a near‑miss from Spurs loanee Ash Phillips, the deadlock persisted until Segecic restored Portsmouth’s lead in the 66th minute.
The second goal arrived after a swift counter‑attack. Josh Murphy sent a low cross from the Stoke right flank, and although Colby Bishop failed to connect, Segecic anticipated the ball, out‑muscling defender Ben Gibson and tapping the ball home from three yards out. The strike, a composed finish inside the six‑yard area, re‑established the Pilgrims’ advantage and set the tone for the final stages of the contest.
With the game winding down, full‑back Jordan Williams came close to extending the lead, his effort drifting just wide of Simkin’s right‑hand post. However, it was Segecic who completed his personal hat‑trick eight minutes from the final whistle, slotting home a precise 20‑yard left‑footed effort after a quick one‑two with teammate. The goal not only sealed a 3-1 win but also marked Segecic’s fourth goal in his last two appearances, highlighting a purple patch of form that could prove crucial for Portsmouth’s ambitions next season. Beyond the on‑field drama, the match featured several noteworthy personnel changes.
Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid was among five alterations made by manager John Mousinho for the season’s final away fixture. Early in the game, understudy Josef Bursik, who had not started since an FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January, was forced off with an injury after just three minutes.
Ben Killip replaced him, making his first appearance since a September encounter with Sheffield Wednesday. These adjustments reflected Mousinho’s willingness to rotate his squad now that the club’s primary objective—avoiding relegation—had been achieved. Portsmouth’s victory also carried historical significance. Their previous away win at Stoke dated back to February 1995, when the club was still based at the Victoria Ground.
The triumph therefore broke a 31‑year drought and provided a morale boost for a fan base that had endured a challenging season marked by financial constraints and inconsistent performances. Stoke City, who had been perched near the top of the table earlier in the campaign, now face their eighth consecutive bottom‑half finish since their drop from the Premier League in 2018.
The defeat underscored the difficulties the club has encountered in rebuilding after relegation, with a lack of consistency and defensive frailties evident throughout the season. In the post‑match interviews, Segecic reflected on the broader context of the club’s situation. He emphasized the need for a cultural shift within Portsmouth, calling for greater work ethic, smarter recruitment, and the removal of players who lack commitment. "We have to recruit the right players and move people on who are mercenary, don’t want to work, don’t want to train hard," he said.
His candid remarks highlighted a desire for a more disciplined, competitive environment that can propel the club forward. Manager John Mousinho, speaking about his own future, expressed unwavering loyalty to the club and the city. "My full focus is on Portsmouth.
I love being here and love the city," he affirmed, adding that he has no offers from other clubs and intends to see out the remaining years of his contract. His commitment mirrors the club’s broader aim to build stability and continuity after a turbulent period.
The win also provided a fitting conclusion to Portsmouth’s season, allowing the supporters to celebrate survival in the Championship after a dramatic 5-1 loss to Coventry City earlier in the campaign, which had secured the second‑tier title for Frank Lampard’s side. With relegation fears now behind them, the Pilgrims can look ahead to the off‑season, focusing on squad reinforcement, tactical refinement, and fostering the cultural changes advocated by Segecic. Off the pitch, the match was broadcast on Sky Sports, with fans encouraged to download the Sky Sports app and watch the EFL via NOW.
The coverage ensured that a wider audience could witness Segecic’s standout performance and Portsmouth’s historic win at the Bet365 Stadium. In summary, Adrian Segecic’s hat‑trick not only secured a vital three points for Portsmouth but also symbolised a turning point for a club eager to shed its recent struggles. The victory, the historical context, the managerial statements, and the player’s outspoken call for change together paint a picture of a side poised to rebuild, re‑energise its fan base, and aim for higher ambitions in the upcoming season.