Plymouth fans ‘go mad’ at Fratton Park after what happened v Portsmouth
Portsmouth fans were left scratching their heads on Wednesday night after going down at Fratton Park against Plymouth Argyle.
The 2-1 defeat after seven wins in nine at Fratton Park to a side without an away win in the league all season is the Championship in a nutshell.
Pompey must recover when they visit Preston North End this weekend (15 March) following a disappointing display, just three days after they were incredible against leaders Leeds United.
Plymouth fans ‘go mad’ after moment v Portsmouth
Similarly to how Portsmouth supporters feel when they make their long trips away from home, Plymouth fans have had even less to cheer on their treks.
With some hefty journeys for both sides, Pompey have won twice on their travels all campaign while the win for Argyle at Fratton was their first aside from their FA Cup shock at Brentford.
Mustapha Bundu opened the scoring before Ryan Hardie added a second shortly after the break.
Adil Aouchiche hit a piledriver late on before 11 minutes of stoppage time were added on, but the visitors – who have conceded at will for much of this season – stood firm to see out their win.
Jamie Mackie, reporting from Fratton for Sky Sports Soccer Special (12 March, 20:28), claimed Plymouth fans “went mad” as they adorned the Milton End as Bundu put their side into a surprise lead.
“[Bundu] curls it with the inside of his right foot into the side netting,” Mackie said.
“What a finish and a brilliant team goal from the away side. The away fans have travelled in their numbers and they’re going mad behind the goal here.”
Host Julian Warren responded: “That is just the seventh goal those away fans have been able to celebrate.
“Will they now see their side go on and pick up those elusive three points.
“Remember, at the start of the night they were six points from safety at the bottom of the table. Can they beat the team that beat the leaders at the weekend?”
Mousinho and Pompey must ensure fewer slip-ups
Portsmouth have now seen their gap to the relegation zone cut from 10 points to seven following the shock home defeat.
It is vital Pompey don’t let this result spiral into a rut of form at a hugely inconvenient period of the season.
Mousinho has masterminded some excellent results at times this season with the Leeds win no doubt the biggest high, but the Argyle loss appears a real hangover with the visitors scrapping for their lives.
| Portsmouth away wins 2024-25 | Date |
| QPR 1-2 Portsmouth | 19 October |
| Oxford United 0-2 Portsmouth | 15 February |
Before the international break, the next fixture brings another long trip north, this time to Preston, who were beaten 3-1 back in November at Fratton Park as Colby Bishop returned from his heart surgery recovery to score.
The Championship can change in a matter of days, and Portsmouth must ensure they’re not caught in a vortex to drag them back into a battle for safety anytime soon.