Terry Devlin’s brace proved insufficient as Portsmouth suffered a 3-2 Championship defeat at Hull City. The wing-back struck twice but Joe Gelhardt’s second-half winner secured victory for the Tigers, with Enis Destan and Kyle Joseph also finding the net for the hosts.
John Mousinho was forced into one change from the side that drew with Wrexham at Fratton Park midweek. Connor Ogilvie sustained a knee injury against the Welsh side, bringing Jordan Williams into the left wing-back position, whilst academy prospect Ashton Sizer earned a place amongst the substitutes.
Pre-match Remembrance ceremonies saw Colby Bishop lay a poppy wreath, followed by the Last Post and a minute’s silence.
Both teams pushed forward from kick-off, though Pompey’s promising moves failed to create clear-cut chances. Hull came closer initially, with Josef Bursik stretching to keep out Joseph. Ivor Pandur’s long ball then found Destan, who flicked on for Gelhardt, but the winger dragged wide.
The Blues began to threaten and Josh Murphy’s wide free-kick required Pandur’s attention. Portsmouth took the lead on 16 minutes when Conor Chaplin’s delivery was partially cleared to DEVLIN, whose 25-yard effort deflected off Joseph and nestled in the net.
Pompey nearly extended their advantage as Williams and Chaplin saw efforts blocked before Murphy’s right-footed attempt forced Pandur into a near-post stop.
Hull levelled as Lewie Coyle’s low delivery evaded the visiting defence, allowing Destan to equalise. The Tigers gained momentum and Joseph headed Gelhardt’s centre narrowly wide.
The hosts edged ahead on 42 minutes when Gelhardt’s corner found Joseph, who nodded home despite Devlin’s protests of a foul. The Blues responded before half-time when Murphy’s left-wing cross picked out DEVLIN, who powered home his second header.
Half Time: Hull 2 Pompey 2
Mousinho introduced skipper Marlon Pack for Luke Le Roux at the interval. Devlin took a Ryan Giles shot to the face but continued after treatment.
Portsmouth defended successive Hull corners without serious alarm as the second period began tentatively. Regan Slater threw himself at Giles’s cross on 64 minutes but headed over.
Murphy delivered dangerously from the left, with Charlie Hughes clearing well. Mousinho withdrew Devlin for Zak Swanson on 75 minutes, ending hopes of an unlikely hat-trick.
Just as a draw appeared likely, Hull regained the lead. Hughes sent a precise long pass towards Gelhardt, who controlled expertly before chipping Bursik.
Substitute Joel Ndala nearly added a fourth but fired into the side netting from a free-kick. Pompey responded with Makenzie Kirk and Minhyeok Yang replacing Chaplin and Ibane Bowat.
Eight minutes of added time offered renewed hope. Pack’s deep pass found Kirk, whose header bounced into the turf and was gathered by Pandur. Bursik ventured up for a late corner but headed over as Hull held firm for three points.
Hull (4-2-3-1): Pandur; Coyle (c), Egan, Hughes, Giles; Hadžiahmetović (Gyabi 74), Slater (Famewo 90+5); Gelhardt (Ajayi 86), Crooks, Joseph; Destan (Ndala 74)
Goals: Destan 27, Joseph 42, Gelhardt 79
Subs not used: Phillips, Drameh, McCarthy, Belloumi, Akinola
Pompey (3-4-3): Bursik; Poole, Knight, Bowat (Minhyeok 84); Devlin (Swanson 75), Le Roux (Pack 46), Dozzell, Williams (Kosznovszky 90+3); Chaplin (Kirk 84), Bishop (c), Murphy
Goals: Devlin 16, 45+2
Booked: Devlin, Williams, Pack
Subs not used: Killip, Matthews, Sizer, Bianchini
Referee: Tom Nield
Attendance: 23,205 (1,761 Pompey fans)
