Bishop perfect 10/10, 5/10 player struggles – Portsmouth player ratings v Norwich
Portsmouth registered their third away win of the Championship season at a crucial time in the survival battle and what a win it was, with a 5-3 thriller against Norwich City.
Colby Bishop became Pompey’s joint-top goalscorer this term as he entered double figures in style, smashing home a perfect hat-trick at Carrow Road (18 April).
Matt Ritchie tucked home another Pompey goal as Josh Murphy racked up another two assists, with Regan Poole taking advantage of Norwich’s dreadful defence to add a fifth – his first of the season.
Josh Sargent, Jack Stacey and Emiliano Marcondes scored for the Canaries, but the goals proved only to be consolations for Johannes Hoff Thorup’s home side as the near-2,000 Pompey fans were sent home in elation, their team now six points clear of the drop.
Pompey News rates the Blues players out of 10 for their performances in East Anglia.
Portsmouth player ratings v Norwich
Nicolas Schmid – 6
Jordan Williams – 6
Regan Poole – 8
Rob Atkinson (off for Zak Swanson 86′) – 6
Connor Ogilvie – 6
Freddie Potts – 7
Isaac Hayden (off for Andre Dozzell 55′) – 8
Matt Ritchie (off for Terry Devlin 86′) – 9
Adil Aouchiche (off for Marlon Pack 86′) – 8
Josh Murphy – 9
Colby Bishop (off for Kusini Yengi 75′) – 10
Substitutes
Andre Dozzell (on for Isaac Hayden 55′) – 5
Kusini Yengi (on for Colby Bishop 75′) – 5
Marlon Pack (on for Adil Aouchiche 86′) – N/A
Terry Devlin (on for Matt Ritchie 86′) – N/A
Zak Swanson (on for Rob Atkinson 86′) – N/A
Bishop on fire as Pompey run riot at Norwich
Portsmouth fans never saw anything like this coming – most, if not all, would have taken a point before kick-off. They’re used to conceding goals on the road; outscoring their hosts and bagging five, not so much.
The classic unpredictable nature of the Championship was in full flow, as an open game Norwich are no strangers to this campaign swung way out their favour.
Beyond the obvious terrific displays from Bishop, Murphy and Ritchie, Adil Aouchiche also had his best game in blue, while Isaac Hayden did well to win the penalty to give Pompey half-time breathing space.
| POS | Championship table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 18 | PORTSMOUTH | 43 | 49 | -14 |
| 19 | Oxford | 42 | 48 | -17 |
| 20 | Hull | 43 | 45 | -10 |
| 21 | Derby | 43 | 43 | -11 |
| 22 | Luton | 43 | 43 | -25 |
| 23 | Cardiff | 42 | 42 | -21 |
| 24 | Plymouth | 43 | 40 | -39 |
Breathing space is certainly the operative term, and is crucial heading into the final three fixtures of the season – two of which, crucially, are contested at Fratton Park.
Once they knew they had the game won, the freedom with which Pompey played was so refreshing, and will hopefully be present in the final games to finish a season of consolidation with a flourish.