Promotion chasing Pompey & Derby play out a thriller

Portsmouth and Derby County played out an EFL classic at Fratton Park that left both sides satisfied sitting tucked inside the top two and the automatic promotion spots in League One. 

LINEUPS

POR XI: Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie; Pack*, Evans; Kamara, Saydee, Lane; Bishop

POR SUBS: Macey, Sparkes, Swanson, Moxon, Anjorin, Whyte, Yengi

DER XI: Wildsmith; Wilson, Nelson, Cashin; Ward, Smith, Adams, Blackett-Taylor; Mendez-Laing*, Sibley; Collins

DER SUBS: Vickers, Robinson, Thompson, Hourihane, Fornah, Waghorn, Washington

Action: A dramatic evening at Fratton Park began with both sides looking to establish a foot hold through more physical play than perhaps initially anticipated. Neither side looked composed enough to really take the game by the scruff of the neck.

However, the first real moment of quality brought the first goal of the afternoon when Derby counter attacked upon the league leading hosts.

Corey Blackett-Taylor carried the ball well before a well-timed, well weighted pass through to Joe Ward and the former Peterborough United man struck hard and low across goal and past Will Norris into the bottom corner to give the Rams a vital lead.

However, that lead did not last very long when Norwich City loanee Abu Kamara controlled excellently well in the Derby penalty area, rounded Curtis Nelson and then plonked home a delicate left-footed finish. 

That was not to be the beginning of a Pompey onslaught, though, with Joe Ward actually firing Derby back ahead with a long range effort that was deflected upon and over Norris to re-establish the visitors’ lead.

Would you BELIEVE IT!

Derby County are back in front at Fratton Park 😨😨 pic.twitter.com/TK4evb0LLl

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 2, 2024

That lead really should have been wiped out before half-time, though, when Christian Saydee met the ball on the half volley but could only slice open from around 12 yards with the goal gaping.

The second-half, as was the want of Derby boss Paul Warne, became cagey and tense with Portsmouth pushing but Derby still occasionally flirting with being dangerous on the counter attack.

Pompey huffed and puffed but eventually did break Derby down via an excellent strike from former Carlisle United midfielder Owen Moxon, who blasted across goal into the top corner from around 25 yards, leaving Joe Wildsmith no chance. 

The big picture: Portsmouth have now extended their lead over third-place Bolton Wanderers to nine points with just five games of the season to go as they near automatic promotion back to the second-tier. Derby are four above the aforementioned Trotters but have now played a game more with the pressure very much growing in the final month of the campaign. 

Man of the match: Ebou Adams. Derby’s central midfield dynamo was key for the visitors as he relentlessly broke up play as well as smartly used the ball going forward.

EVENTS

Kick-off

’23 | GOAL: Ward (0-1)

’27 | GOAL: Kamara (1-1)

’35 | GOAL: Ward (1-2)

Half-time

’77 | GOAL: Moxon (2-2)

Full-time