Derby County clinched their inaugural win of the campaign with a convincing 2-0 triumph at Fratton Park, thanks to strikes from Sammie Szmodics and the newly‑signed Norwegian forward Lars‑Jørgen Salvesen. While Portsmouth dominated the early phases of the match, holding the lion's share of possession and registering 19 attempts compared with Derby's seven, it was the Rams who proved decisive when it mattered most, walking away with three valuable points. The opening goal arrived in the 16th minute after Derby's first genuine foray forward. Bobby Clark surged down the right flank, delivering a precise pass into the path of Szmodics.
The midfielder deftly spun past his marker, creating a narrow angle before unleashing a low drive that slipped beneath the near post, leaving Portsmouth goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström with no chance. That finish broke the deadlock and set the tone for the remainder of the encounter. Portsmouth, playing on their home turf, continued to control the ball and press high up the pitch. Their forward Abu Kamara appealed for a penalty after a challenge from Derby defender Charlie Taylor, but referee Sam Allison judged the contact to be a legitimate play on the ball, allowing the game to flow uninterrupted.
Manager John Mousinho, eager to reward Serbian striker Marko Milovanović with a starting berth, introduced the 6‑ft‑5‑in forward after a disappointing 2‑1 loss to Bristol City the previous weekend. Milovanović, a former Almería player, showed flashes of promise in the opening stages, but his low‑driven effort from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Zetterström. Despite holding 64 percent of the ball and firing ten shots in the first half, Portsmouth managed only a single on‑target strike, underscoring their inability to convert dominance into goals.
The half concluded with Derby maintaining their 1‑0 lead, buoyed by disciplined defending and a compact midfield. The second half saw Derby intensify their pressing. Clark, ever the catalyst on the left, delivered a low cross that found Norwegian forward Sondre Langås at the edge of the six‑yard area.
Langås, however, could not muster a decisive finish. Portsmouth responded with a dangerous foray of their own when Zak Swanson whipped in a cross that nearly caught Zetterström off guard at the far post; the keeper managed to smother the ball with a reflexive dive.
The subsequent corner saw Kamara's header deflect narrowly wide of the Derby goal line. As the match progressed, Derby's manager Josh Eustace made a tactical substitution, replacing Rhian Brewster with Salvesen.
The Norwegian made an immediate impact; within moments of stepping onto the pitch, he collected a pass from Oscar Fraulo and struck a powerful left‑footed shot from the edge of the area into the top corner, securing his first goal for the club since January and extending Derby's lead to 2‑0. Clark continued to menace Portsmouth's back line, embarking on a teasing run down the left and unleashing a low drive that rattled the post, narrowly missing a third Derby goal. Portsmouth, meanwhile, endured a second home defeat in as many games, and their manager Mousinho expressed concern over the team's lackluster attacking output despite the possession advantage.
After the final whistle, Mousinho reflected on his side's performance: "We were sloppy in several aspects, giving the ball away too easily, which directly led to the second goal on the counter‑attack. Our half‑chances and set‑piece opportunities were limited, and we need to improve our reaction to key moments and handle disappointment better.
In the first half we responded reasonably, but the second half lacked energy and spark." Derby boss John Eustace highlighted the importance of composure and belief: "It's about keeping your head, staying calm, and not being distracted by the noise when results aren't going your way. We haven't been able to field a settled XI in pre‑season or in our first three league games, so consistency is vital. We must trust the process, stay confident in what we do, and keep the faith. Securing our first three points is encouraging, but the season is long.
Last year we won only one of our first ten games and still made it to the playoff final. So we keep believing in our approach." Overall, the match illustrated how Derby can translate limited possession into effective, goal‑scoring opportunities, while Portsmouth must address their inefficiency in front of goal. The victory provides a morale boost for the Rams as they look to build momentum in the early stages of the Championship season.
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