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 restored parity for the visitors early in the second half, Segecic completed his personal treble with a composed left‑footed strike from about 20 yards out, sealing the win with eight minutes remaining. The victory was historic for several reasons.
It marked Portsmouth’s inaugural win at Stoke’s current ground, a feat not achieved since the club’s days at the old Victoria Ground back in February 1995. Moreover, the result contributed to Stoke’s ongoing struggles; the Potters, who had briefly occupied second place earlier in the campaign, are now destined for an eighth consecutive season finishing in the lower half of the table since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Portsmouth entered the match free from any relegation anxiety, having already secured their Championship status. The game was their first after a heavy 5‑1 defeat at Coventry, a result that handed the league title to Frank Lampard’s side.
Manager John Mousinho made five changes to his lineup, including the introduction of Austrian goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid. However, Schmid’s involvement was short‑lived; within three minutes he was forced off with an injury, prompting the return of understudy Josef Bursik, who was making his first start since an FA Cup loss to Arsenal in January of the previous year.
Ben Killip subsequently came on, marking his first appearance since a September showdown with Sheffield Wednesday. Approximately 3,000 Pompey supporters filled the stadium, eager to celebrate the club’s survival in the second tier despite the relatively subdued spectacle. The opening goal arrived 13 minutes before halftime when Segecic, a former Sydney FC standout, collected a precise through ball from Harvey Blair. He took a moment to settle before unleashing a rising left‑footed shot that slipped past Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin, giving him his eighth league goal of the season.
Stoke responded before the break, with Lamine Cisse finding the back post from a Sorba Thomas cross, only to be denied by Killip’s quick reflexes. A chaotic scramble in the six‑yard box saw both Ash Phillips, on loan from Spurs, and Cisse fail to convert.
The home side’s frustration was evident as they left the field to a chorus of boos at the interval. The second half began with a swift reversal of fortunes. Just three minutes after the restart, Cisse headed home an in‑swinging corner delivered by Thomas, silencing the Pompey fans temporarily. Segecic, however, continued to menace the Stoke defence.
After a near‑miss at the 62‑minute mark, he capitalised four minutes later when a cross from Josh Murphy was flicked on by Colby Bishop. Segecic out‑paced Ben Gibson and tapped the ball home from three yards out, restoring Portsmouth’s lead. Jordan Williams of Portsmouth nearly added a fourth goal, his effort grazing the right‑hand side of Simkin’s upright.
Yet it was Segecic’s third strike that completed his memorable individual display, marking his fourth goal across two consecutive games. In the post‑match interview, Segecic spoke candidly about the club’s culture and the urgent need for change. He highlighted the poor standards that had plagued the team, describing the season as "abject" and emphasizing that merely being "okay" was insufficient. He called for a ruthless approach to recruitment, insisting that mercenary attitudes and lack of effort must be eradicated.
Segecic warned that players unwilling to fight, train hard, and give their all in any weather would have no place at the club, underscoring his frustration and desire for a transformative summer of hard work. Manager John Mousinho also addressed his own future, reaffirming his commitment to Portsmouth. He expressed his love for the city and the club, noting that he had received no overtures from other clubs and that his contract extends for a few more years, giving him the stability to focus on building a stronger side.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the match also featured promotional elements such as a reminder to download the Sky Sports app and a call to watch EFL action via Sky NOW. Additionally, a side note mentioned a £250,000 prize pool associated with the Super 6 competition, which remains free to enter until the deadline at 3 pm on Saturday. Overall, the fixture served as a turning point for Portsmouth, providing a morale‑boosting win, a showcase for Segecic’s emerging talent, and a clear signal that the club is ready to overhaul its culture, recruit the right players, and strive for higher ambitions in the Championship. The win also reinforced Stoke’s ongoing challenges, highlighting the competitive nature of the league and the fine margins that separate success from disappointment.