
Colby Bishop's goal the difference as the Blues beat the league leaders to move 10 points clear of the Championship relegation zone.
Portsmouth now sit a comfortable 10 points above the relegation zone in 17th place with just 10 Championship games remaining.
It was a game that showcased just how open and competitive England’s second tier can be, in a sunny afternoon encounter on the South Coast.
The Blues have certainly piled on the pressure for Leeds United’s title hopes, with Daniel Farke’s side remaining level on points with 2nd place: Sheffield United.
Leeds could have had a penalty early on after Matt Ritchie left a leg in on Welsh international: Dan James, but referee Rob jones decided not to point to the spot.
Blues shot stopper: Nicholas Schmid then made an incredible double save when he first denied Manor Solomon and then Joel Piroe who was left in shock that he was unable to give the visitors the lead.
Half-time: Portsmouth 0-0 Leeds
Early on in the second half Pompey made their first change of the afternoon when Sunderland loanee Adil Aouchiche came off for Terry Devlin who signed a new 3-year-deal last week.
James burst foward on the counter attack just before the hour mark, before squaring the ball to Solomon who laid it off for Piroe, but the Dutch forwards effort was too high for the goalmouth.
Ogilvie then fired the ball from his own half up to the Portsmouth attack, where it met Colby Bishop who smashed the ball off the post to give the Blues the lead on 60 minutes.
Junior Firpo should have equalised for Leeds after he overlapped his run past sub Mateo Joseph, but the fullbacks effort was hit straight at Schmid with fifteen minutes on the clock.
The Dominican Republic international then had another chance to equalise for United, but Schmid was there to make another reflex save to keep the score 1-0 to Portsmouth.
Down the over end Josh Murphy almost made it two-nil to Pompey, but his effort from outside the area deflected back off the post.
5 minutes were added on, leaving Leeds desperate to snatch a point, with French keeper: Illan Meslier coming up for the 95th minute corner.
Joe Rothwell’s corner was met by the head of fellow sub Sam Bryam, but the defenders header was denied by Schmid who showed the cameras exactly why he was awarded with the man of the match reward.
Full-time: Portsmouth 1-0 Leeds
Next up: Fratton Park comes calling again for Portsmouth as John Mousinho’s side welcome Plymouth Argyle Wednesday evening.
The two sides have not met at Fratton Park since the 2-2 draw in September 2022, which was the same season that Plymouth earned promotion to the Championship.
Over the years it has always been heated between the two sides, with some naming the encounter the ‘Dockyard Derby’.
Can Pompey continue their unbeaten run at home? Or can Argyle pick up what will be a must-win, as desperation calls for Miron Muslić’s side.
Portsmouth: 13. Schmid (GK), 3. Ogilvie, 7. Pack (C), 5. Poole, 22. Swanson (10. Yengi), 21. Dozzell (45. Hayden), 8. Potts, 23. Murphy, 17. Aouchiche (24. Devlin), 30. Ritchie (18. Bramall), 9. Bishop (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Unused subs: 31. Archer (GK), 4. Towler, 11. O’Mahony, 14. Gordon, 20. Waddingham Goals: Bishop 61’
Goals: Bishop 61’
Bookings: Poole 43’, Potts 90+2’
Head coach: John Mousinho
Leeds: 1, Meslier, 3. Firpo, 5. Struijk (C), 6. Rodon, 2. Bogle (25. Bryam), 22. Tanaka (8. Rothwell), 44. Gruev (29. Gnonto), 14. Solomon (17. Ramazani), 11. Aaronson (19. Joseph), 7. James, 10. Piroe (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Unused subs: 26. Darlow (GK), 23. Guilavogui, 33. Schmidt, 37. Debayo
Manager: Daniel Farke
Venue: Fratton Park
Referee: Robert Jones
Attendance: 20,314 (including 2,171 Leeds fans)
If you missed the coverage of today's game on Express FM, be sure to replay the Pompey Live: Extra-Time podcast! Jake Smith was joined at Fratton Park by Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson to provide reaction to the game.
Jake will be back on air on Monday (March 10th) evening from 6pm with Kev Stokes and Pepe Lacey to provide further analysis and look ahead to the midweek visit of Plymouth Argyle to PO4.
Comments
Add a comment