Adrian Segecic delivered a landmark performance for Portsmouth, recording 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 21‑year‑old Australian‑born Croatian opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and after Lamine Cisse levelled the match early in the second half, Segecic struck twice more to complete his three‑goal haul and seal all three points for the visitors. The opening goal came when Segecic collected a perfectly timed through ball from Harvey Blair. With space to his left, the former Sydney FC talent unleashed a rising left‑footed shot that sailed over the outstretched hand of Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, giving Pompey a deserved lead and marking his eighth goal of the season.
Stoke responded before the break, with Cisse heading an in‑swinging corner from player‑of‑the‑season Sorba Thomas, only to see his effort bounce harmlessly off the six‑yard box and be cleared by Portsmouth defender Ben Killip. The second half began with a dramatic incident: understudy goalkeeper 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. Austrian keeper Nicolas Schmid, one of five changes introduced by manager John Mousinho for the final away fixture, was replaced by Ben Killip, who made his first appearance since a September clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Despite the disruption, Portsmouth maintained their composure. Stoke equalised in the 48th minute when Cisse met a well‑delivered corner from Thomas with a powerful header, sending the home crowd into a brief frenzy.
The equaliser, however, was short‑lived. Segecic, who had already threatened the opposition twice, missed a chance in the 62nd minute when a header struck the side netting. Four minutes later, he made amends: a cross from Josh Murphy on the right wing was met by Segecic, who out‑muscled defender Ben Gibson and slotted the ball home from three yards out, restoring Portsmouth's lead.
The final goal arrived in the 82nd minute. After a sustained period of pressure, Segecic received the ball on the left side of the box, cut inside, and fired a precise left‑footed strike from about 20 yards.
The shot left Simkin with no chance and completed Segecic's personal hat‑trick, sealing a memorable night for the young striker and ensuring Portsmouth walked away with three points. The win was historically significant for Pompey.
It marked the club's first ever victory at the Bet365 Stadium, a ground they had visited numerous times without success. The last time Portsmouth had won away at Stoke was back in February 1995, when the match was played at Stoke's former home, the Victoria Ground. The triumph also underscored Stoke's ongoing struggles; despite having been second in the table earlier in the season, they are now on course for an eighth consecutive bottom‑half finish since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
Portsmouth entered the match with their relegation worries allayed, having already secured survival in the Championship. The side had returned to action after a heavy 5-1 defeat at Coventry, a result that had handed the league title to Frank Lampard's team.
The win against Stoke provided a morale boost for the squad and their supporters, who turned out in numbers of around 3,000 to celebrate the club's continued presence in the second tier. Manager John Mousinho, who also serves as club captain, praised the team's resilience and highlighted the need for cultural change within the club.
In a post‑match interview, he said, "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." He also confirmed his commitment to the club, noting that he has a contract extending for a couple more years and has received no offers from other clubs.
Segecic's own comments reflected a fierce determination to improve the team's standards. He warned that the current culture was "not right" and that the club must become more ruthless, recruiting players who are willing to work hard and discard those who lack commitment.
He emphasized that merely being "okay" is insufficient; the aim must be excellence, even if it requires a hard summer of work and a willingness to fight through all conditions. The match also featured several notable substitutions and tactical adjustments. After Killip's introduction, he made several crucial saves that helped preserve the lead. Full‑back Jordan Williams came close to extending the margin with a powerful strike that narrowly missed the right‑hand upright of Simkin.
Meanwhile, Stoke struggled to create clear-cut chances, with their loanee striker Ash Phillips and Cisse both failing to convert opportunities inside the six‑yard box. Beyond the on‑field action, the victory provided a platform for Portsmouth to look ahead to the next season. The club will aim to build on this positive momentum, strengthen the squad during the summer transfer window, and address the cultural issues highlighted by Segecic. With a solid foundation and a manager committed to the project, Pompey hope to transition from merely surviving in the Championship to challenging for higher positions.
In summary, Adrian Segecic's hat‑trick not only secured a vital three points but also symbolised a turning point for Portsmouth. The win broke a long‑standing away drought at Stoke, offered a glimpse of a more ambitious future, and gave the fans a night to remember as the club looks to forge a new, more competitive identity in the months ahead.