Mousinho’s blues continued their relentless assault toward the Championship with another fine away victory.
It would be Pompey’s class and clinical edge in the final third that would prove the difference at Adams Park, a place before yesterday that didn’t hold many happy memories for supporters. The table toppers were not at their fluent best for large periods of the game, but these Blues always find a way.
Largely responsible for delivering another three points, was the performance of Abu Kamara.
He was unplayable down the right hand side, giving Luke Leahly a torrid afternoon. The on-loan Norwich youngster showcased all of his ability in setting up Colby Bishop for the opener. Starting in his own half, he drives down the wing, before showing composure to work the space for the cross into the 18 yard box.
For Bishop’s second strike, Kamara would once again provide the assist, this time with less work to do but still placing the ball in the perfect area for Pompey’s top marksman.
Kamara has endured a difficult week following the absurd comments of Stuart Webber. Yesterdays performance shows that not only does he have the ability to go to the very top, but also the character and maturity to achieve. His response on his social media pages to Webber’s interview had made national news, so there was bound to be more eyes on him heading into the Good Friday fixture.
It was another sensational performance from the tricky winger, he is a wonderful talent and he has proved he has the character to overcome mental challenges.
We also saw Colby Bishop back in the goals. Even when Bishop hasn’t been scoring, his contribution to the team cannot be under any doubt, you only need to look at his performance against Peterborough two weeks prior to see that.
Once again, the focal point’s all round contribution was excellent, however with the form of Kesini Yengi, he would have known he had to start finding the net again.
If you can put the ball in the right area in the 18 yard box, that is where the big man does his work best. Both of his goals coming from smart movement over a few yard to get himself in front of his defender to be able to get a shot on goal.
As a striker, sometimes you can need a bit of fortune to turn form around. For the first goal, that slight deflection gave Bishop that, but the second goal is an incredibly smart finish.
Pompey’s number 25 was back in the thick of the action for the Christian Saydee’s strike. Following some great vision from Paddy Lane to find Kamara beyond the opposition backline. Kamara teased the Wycombe defence, hanging a ball to the back post that wasn’t dealt with at all well, the ball fell to Saydee who thunders it back at goal. The poplar forward continuing his fine form since that Oxford goal and continuing to give a large contribution in the run in.
No one had expected to Saydee in the line-up, following the gaffer’s pre match interviews, along with the surprise inclusion of Connor Ogilvie back into the fold.
It felt like a refreshing change, to receive good news with returning players rather than more being lost to injury prior to kick off.
Ogilvie is one of the few players within this squad that would be thrown straight back in to the starting lineup following a layoff. When the full back starts, Pompey don’t lose! It seemed harsh on Jack Sparkes, who after his display at London Road can feel hard done by to miss out.
It is crazy to think we can still have competition for places with all the long term injuries the club have had to endure, but this is the strength of the squad assembled at PO4.
Derby await Tuesday night under the lights at Fratton Park. With more results going our way on a very Good Friday, this game now looks more like a title decider than a game to define the automatic places, such is the wonderful position Pompey have been able to get themselves into.
