Derby County finally broke their winless streak with a convincing 2-0 triumph at Fratton Park, thanks to a first‑half strike from Sammie Szmodics and a second‑half finish by Lars‑Jørgen Salvesen. The hosts, Portsmouth, enjoyed the lion's share of possession and created more chances, but the Rams were clinical when it mattered most and walked away with three points. The match opened with Portsmouth dominating the ball, registering 19 attempts compared with Derby's seven.
Despite the on‑side pressure, the south‑coast side could not find the net, while Derby made the most of their limited opportunities. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Bobby Clark surged down the right flank, delivering a precise pass to Szmodics. The midfielder deftly turned his marker, cut inside and slipped a low shot into the near post, giving the Rams an early lead. Portsmouth continued to control the tempo and territory, and a potential penalty moment arose when Abu Kamara went down under a challenge from Derby defender Charlie Taylor.
Referee Sam Allison, however, judged that Taylor had played the ball rather than committed a foul, and the appeal was turned down. John Mousinho, the Portsmouth manager, made a tactical change by handing a first start to Serbian forward Marko Milovanović, who had previously scored a late penalty in a 2‑1 defeat at Bristol City.
The 6‑foot‑5‑inch striker was active in the opening stages, forcing a low effort from the edge of the box that was comfortably saved by Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström. Although Portsmouth boasted 64 % possession and ten shots in the first half, none of those attempts tested the Derby goal. The second half began with Derby applying sustained pressure. Clark again proved a menace, sending a low cross into the six‑yard area where Norwegian striker Sondre Langås attempted a shot, only to see it saved.
Portsmouth flirted with an equaliser when Zak Swanson whipped in a cross that nearly beat Zetterström at the far post, but the keeper recovered to punch the ball away. A subsequent corner saw Kamara's header deflect narrowly wide. Midway through the half, Eustace introduced Salvesen for Rhian Brewster.
Almost immediately, the Norwegian latched onto a pass from Oscar Fraulo, cut inside and unleashed a powerful left‑footed strike from the edge of the area that rattled the top corner, restoring Derby's two‑goal cushion. The goal marked Salvesen's first strike since January and underscored his growing importance to the side. Clark continued to trouble Portsmouth, nearly adding a third as his run down the left culminated in a low effort that whizzed just beyond the post. Portsmouth, now on the back foot, have now lost both of their home fixtures and appear increasingly vulnerable in attack, a concern that Mousinho openly acknowledged.
After the final whistle, Portsmouth captain John Mousinho reflected on the performance: "We were sloppy in several areas, giving the ball away too easily, which directly led to the second goal on a counter‑attack. Our half‑chances and set‑piece opportunities were limited, and we need to improve our reaction to those moments and handle disappointment better. The first half was acceptable, but the second lacked energy and intensity." Derby manager John Eustace praised his team's resilience: "It's about keeping a clear head, staying calm and not getting carried away by the noise when results aren't going your way.
We haven't been able to field a settled XI in pre‑season or the first three league games, so consistency is key. We believe in the process and the work we put in daily.
Securing the first three points is a boost, but the season is long – last year we won one of our first ten and still fought for a play‑off spot. We must keep believing in our approach." Overall, the match highlighted Derby's efficiency and defensive solidity against a possession‑heavy Portsmouth side. While the hosts will need to address their lack of cutting edge and defensive lapses, the Rams can build on this performance as they aim to climb the Championship table.