Matt Ritchie raves over Portsmouth teammate live on Sky Sports – ‘Amazing’
Matt Ritchie played a key part in the win which could just about see Portsmouth safe in the Championship, on Good Friday against Norwich City.
The experienced Pompey veteran has returned this season to deliver some exemplary leadership and some tireless performances which contrast his age of 35.
Ritchie scored for the Blues in their vital 5-3 thriller against Norwich (18 April), set up by one of two assists from former Canaries winger Josh Murphy – another superb performer for John Mousinho in 2024-25.
Ritchie asked to compare Josh and Jacob Murphy live on Sky
Ritchie went from player to pundit in 24 hours over the Easter weekend, inspiring Portsmouth’s five-goal haul at Norwich before joining Sky Sports as a pundit.
The winger’s former side Newcastle United, where he spent eight years, faced Aston Villa in a crucial Premier League clash as the two battle it out for a place in the Champions League next term.
Ritchie and Murphy have been two of Pompey’s most important players in their survival mission in the Championship, which is now on the verge of sure success.
This time last year, the former Scotland international was teammates with Murphy’s twin Jacob, who is performing out of his skin for Newcastle this season, lifting their first major trophy in 70 years with the Carabao Cup.
While Ritchie – alongside Jamie Redknapp – was lauding the impact Jacob Murphy has had on the Magpies this year, host David Jones posed him a key question.
“Is he better than his brother [Josh]?”, interjected Jones (19 April, 17:10).
“His brother’s doing amazing things, I must say,” Ritchie wryly responded.
“He put one on a plate for me yesterday.”
Portsmouth have found greatest success in experience
One factor to first consider this season is just how proud the Murphy family will be of their twin stars, making waves having recently each hit 30.
Portsmouth brought their Murphy in on a free transfer last summer, with the winger having been a teammate of Mousinho’s at Oxford United, with Ritchie also arriving for free after leaving Newcastle.
Ritchie himself has recognised the greatness of Murphy and vice versa.
| Murphy brothers – 2024-25 | Club | Division | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| Josh Murphy | Portsmouth | Championship | 39 | 7 | 13 | 3,178 |
| Jacob Murphy | Newcastle | Premier Lge | 29 | 8 | 11 | 1,968 |
It has predominantly been these arrivals, as well as loans for the likes of Freddie Potts, which have really helped Pompey stay afloat this year.
With a bit of luck, the Blues can loosen the purse strings in the summer and look to gradually climb the table, reinvesting and developing the young talent they have already paid for.