Boyhood Blues supporter Matt Ritchie inspires a second half comeback at Fratton Park, where Pompey defeat Play-Off chasing Middlesbrough by 2 goals to 1.
It was the Gosport-born winger who scored a brace to seal the 2-1 victory for the Blues, after Boro had secured a 0-1 lead before the break.
John Mousinho’s side still sit in the bottom 3 of the Championship table, narrowly below Hull on goal difference with both teams on 26 points and 5 points clear of Plymouth Argyle, who still sit rock bottom on 21.
However, before the action could get underway at Fratton Park, play was halted before the opening whistle after an emergency incident occurred in the North stand lower. It has since been confirmed by Portsmouth in a club statement that the supporter from the incident has sadly passed away. The thoughts of everyone on the Pompey Live team at Express FM are with the supporter’s friends and family and we send out condolences to those affected at this difficult time.
Play began at around 3:35pm, with the players returning to the field of play to warm up before Gavin Ward’s whistle.
Middlesbrough were on top in the first half and had an opportunity to open the score early on, when Delano Burgzorg teed up Emmanuel Latte Lath on the half volley, but Blues Keeper Nicholas Schmid got down and parried the ball wide to keep the scoreline goalless.
The Ivory Coast international then went on to get his goal, when he was played onside by Rob Atkinson following Burgzorg’s run on the counter attack, before poking the ball past Schmid into the net to make it 0-1 to Middlesbrough on half an hour.
Half time: Portsmouth 0-1 Middlesbrough
Micheal Carrick’s side had a chance to double their lead early into the second half, but Burgzorg’s shot across goal after an encouraging ball by Boro captain Hayden Hackney was shot wide of the post.
Pompey then started to find their feet in this tie, after having a lot of the play in the first half, however they were struggling to grow into the game the second, but a ball over the top by West Ham loanee Freddie Potts was rewarded, when Matt Ritchie in similar fashion to Latte Lath’s finish, managed to poke the past Tom Glover in the Riverside’s net to make the score level at 1-1.
The former Newcastle man ran over to the corner flag and kicked it to his delight after scoring his first Portsmouth goal at Fratton Park to achieve what was a childhood dream of his, before jumping onto the electronic advertising board to celebrate with the Blues fans in the North stand Lower.
A full 90 was too far for Isaac Hayden, as he was brought off for Andre Dozzell with twenty minutes to go, after making his first Pompey start since joining at the back end of last week.
Ritchie had a chance to put Pompey in front and score what would have been a hat-trick after today’s result, but his effort from a quick free kick was just a mere few inches too high for the net, just breezing above the crossbar, after his powerful left foot struck the ball at the top right hand corner.
But that was no problem for the 35 year old ten minutes from time, when after a side forward ball from Potts found Ritchie on the right flank, with his effort striking the inside of the goal post before going into the over the corner of the goal to make it 2-1 to Pompey and seal a well-earned and much needed 3 points at home.
Full time: Portsmouth 2-1 Middlesbrough
Next up: The action continues at Fratton Park, as on Wednesday Pompey welcome Mark Robins’ Stoke City, who have been unbeaten since the former Coventry boss stepped straight back into management to help the Potters avoid a potential relegation scrap.
It was Tom Cannon who caused nightmares for the Pompey defensive line in the reverse fixture at the Bet365 stadium back in October, but the forward has since been recalled by Leicester City this month ahead of what looks like to be a multi-million pound move to a top six Championship side.
Stoke will not be without a reliable talisman in the EFL this season however, after recalling League Two top scorer Nathan Lowe from his loan at Walsall this month, as the 19-year-old look to continue his form in the England's second division after a goal in a 1-1 draw with West Brom this weekend.
Portsmouth: 13. Schmid (GK), 2. Williams (22. Swanson), 7. Pack (C), 35. Atkinson (4. Towler), 3. Ogilvie, 8. Potts, 45. Hayden (21. Dozzell), 30. Ritchie, 49. Lang, 23. Murphy 9. Bishop
Unused Subs: 31. Archer (GK), 15. Saydee, 16, McIntyre, 17. Moxon, 24. Devlin, 29. Blair
Bookings: Ritchie 40’
Goals: Ritchie 54’ & 82’
Middlesbrough: 23. Glover (GK), 3. Van den Berg (2. Ayling), 6. Fry, 25. Edmundson, 30. Neto Borges (27. Engel), 4. Barlaser (18. Morris), 7. Hackney (C), 50. Doak, 20. Azaz (14. Gilbert) , 10. Burgzorg (21. Forss), 9. Latte Lath
Unused Subs:
Bookings: Doak 24’, Edmundson 55’
Goals: Latte Lath 20’
Venue: Fratton Park
Attendance: 20,389 (including 2,162 Middlesbrough supporters)
Referee: Gavin Ward
You can listen back to the Pompey Live: Extra-Time podcast to hear the analysis of Jake Smith, Joe Wood and James Wilson following today's win at PO4.
For even more reaction to the Blues' 2-1 Championship victory over Middlesbrough and a preview of the next fixture against Stoke City, tune in on Monday (January 20th) evening from 6pm for the next episode of The Football Hour on Express FM.
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