Adrian Segecic delivered a landmark performance for Portsmouth, securing his first ever EFL hat‑trick as the south coast side overcame Stoke City 3‑1 at the Bet365 Stadium. 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 night with a precise 20‑yard left‑footed strike eight minutes from the final whistle. The victory marked Portsmouth’s inaugural win at Stoke’s home ground and provided a fitting end to their season after a hard‑fought campaign to retain Championship status.
The match began with Portsmouth on the front foot. Within three minutes of kickoff, understudy goalkeeper Josef Bursik, who had not started since an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in January, was forced off with an injury. Austrian keeper Nicolas Schmid, one of five changes introduced by manager John Mousinho for the final away fixture, was replaced by Ben Killip, making his first appearance since a September clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
The early disruption did not deter the hosts, and 13 minutes into the first half, Segecic seized the initiative. Receiving a well‑timed through ball from Harvey Blair, the former Sydney FC and A‑League standout found space on the edge of the box. He calmly slotted a rising left‑footed shot past Stoke’s keeper Tommy Simkin, giving Portsmouth a 1‑0 lead and marking his eighth goal of the season. Stoke responded quickly, with Lamine Cissé finding the back post after a cross from Sorba Thomas, only to see his effort blocked by Killip.
A scramble in the six‑yard area saw both Spurs loanee Ash Phillips and Cissé fail to convert, and the half‑time whistle blew with the visitors still trailing. The second half opened with Stoke equalising in the 48th minute.
Cissé rose to meet an in‑swinging corner delivered by Thomas, directing a header past the Portsmouth defence to restore parity. The goal sparked a brief surge of optimism among the Stoke supporters, but Portsmouth’s resolve remained intact. Segecic came close to restoring the lead at the 62‑minute mark, only to see his header hit the side netting. Four minutes later, his persistence paid off.
A cross from Josh Murphy on the right found Segecic unmarked in the box. He out‑muscled defender Ben Gibson, slipped the ball into the net from three yards out, and re‑established Portsmouth’s advantage at 2‑1. Full‑back Jordan Williams then threatened to make it 3‑1, but his shot drifted just wide of Simkin’s right‑hand upright.
Segecic, now 21, completed his personal hat‑trick shortly after, tapping in a low left‑footed finish from close range to seal the win. Beyond the goals, the match carried historical significance. Portsmouth’s last away victory at Stoke dated back to February 1995, when the club played at the old Victoria Ground.
The triumph also underscored Stoke’s ongoing struggles; despite being second in the league earlier in the season, they are now destined for an eighth consecutive finish in the bottom half since their 2018 relegation from the Premier League. For Portsmouth, the win was a morale‑boosting finale after a season that saw them escape relegation fears. Their previous match had ended in a 5‑1 defeat to Coventry, a result that secured the Championship title for Frank Lampard’s side. Manager John Mousinho, who recently signed a contract extension, expressed his commitment to the club, 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." Segecic’s performance was not only about the three goals; it symbolised a shift in the team’s culture.
In post‑match interviews, the striker warned that the club’s mindset needed a overhaul. He highlighted the lack of determination he observed during a difficult season, saying, "We have not been good enough to win enough games this season.
This one was abject. Things need to change.
It is a summer of hard work. 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." His candid remarks reflected a broader frustration within the squad. Segecic demanded a ruthless approach, urging the club to bring in players willing to fight week in, week out, regardless of weather conditions. He added, "I can’t tell you how angry I am.
There is so much that needs doing to change things around. You can’t have the tail wagging the dog. If they are not willing to fight and scrap they will have to leave." The atmosphere at the Bet365 Stadium was lively, with roughly 3,000 Portsmouth supporters celebrating their team’s survival in the Championship.
While the match lacked the high‑octane drama of a title decider, the fans appreciated the significance of a historic away win and the individual brilliance of Segecic. Looking ahead, Portsmouth will aim to build on this positive note as they prepare for the next season. The club’s management acknowledges the need for strategic recruitment and a cultural reset, hoping to transform the optimism generated by Segecic’s hat‑trick into sustained on‑field success.
Meanwhile, Stoke City must confront the reality of another lower‑table finish and begin planning a rebuild to regain competitiveness. In summary, Adrian Segecic’s hat‑trick not only secured a 3‑1 victory for Portsmouth at Stoke’s historic ground but also provided a symbolic turning point for a club eager to shed past shortcomings. The win will be remembered as a milestone in Portsmouth’s recent history, marking their first triumph at the Bet365 Stadium and offering a hopeful glimpse of what could be achieved with renewed ambition and a refreshed team ethos.