Portsmouth ratings v Blackburn – Josh Murphy 8/10 as 5/10 struggles
Portsmouth got the job done to move clear in the Championship with three important points against Blackburn Rovers at Fratton Park.
Josh Murphy delivered again with the decisive 20th-minute goal in a game which was scrappy at times, but Pompey boss John Mousinho will be delighted with the clean sheet and to have got over the line.
A huge April now beckons to ensure the Blues wrap up their place in the Championship for next season, with successive away games coming up at Millwall and Coventry City.
Pompey News rates the performances of Mousinho’s side out of 10 from Fratton Park.
Portsmouth get over the line against Blackburn
Nicolas Schmid – 6
Not a great deal to do but had to be alert in his positioning to keep out Woodrow’s long-range effort attempting to catch him out.
Zak Swanson – 7
Steady performance at right-back. Is now under more pressure to perform given Terry Devlin’s rise and the return to fitness of Jordan Williams.
Regan Poole – 6
Mopped up well, in the right place but sometimes a tad erratic. Perhaps fortunate to escape with just a yellow for a heavy first-half challenge, but kept a vital clean sheet.
Connor Ogilvie – 8
A slightly more central role for him but still played a great ball from the left up to Murphy which led to the goal. Offers a lot going forward, and was part of a clean sheet for his side.
Cohen Bramall (off for Marlon Pack 89′) – 6
Tried to get up and down the line, won a few key tackles. A steady presence like Swanson on the opposite side.
Murphy provides massive moment again
Andre Dozzell – 7
Dovetailed well with Potts, deserves credit for becoming the Portsmouth midfield mainstay and keeping a good level of performance no matter who is alongside him.
Freddie Potts – 7
Dominated the middle of the park, won duels and was one of the main reasons Blackburn couldn’t get going in attack. When he didn’t get his way, committed fouls.
Matt Ritchie (off for Jordan Williams 67′) – 5
A low-key display but a couple of dangerous deliveries, particularly from set-pieces as he returned to the starting XI with the captain’s armband.
Adil Aouchiche (off for Terry Devlin 60′) – 5
Busy and industrious in the press, couldn’t get too involved in possession going forward. Is becoming an impact-moment player who could make a piece of magic happen in the next few weeks from a quiet performance.
| Portsmouth – last four results at home | Date |
| Portsmouth 1-0 Blackburn | 29 March |
| Portsmouth 1-2 Plymouth | 12 March |
| Portsmouth 1-0 Leeds | 9 March |
| Portsmouth 2-1 QPR | 22 February |
Josh Murphy – 8
Decisive again with a smartly-finished opening goal. Held up Ogilvie’s pass and played a neat exchange with Bishop for the strike, his 17th Championship goal contribution of the season.
Colby Bishop – 7
Held it up well, brought teammates into play, and expertly provided Murphy for the first-half goal.
Substitutes
Terry Devlin (on for Adil Aouchiche 60′) – 6
Created himself a chance on the left, marauding infield and firing a deflected shot just off target.
Jordan Williams (on for Matt Ritchie 67′) – 5
Nice to see him back after two months out. Could play a big part for Portsmouth in the coming weeks.
Marlon Pack (on for Cohen Bramall 89′) – N/A
Came on late to help see out the result.