Portsmouth are now within touching distance of a return to the Championship for the first time in 12 years.
Saturday’s win over Peterborough United was an extremely significant moment in the season. As Kusini Yengi slid the ball past Jed Steer, the 4000 Pompey fans finally started to believe this could be their year.
The trip to London Road was always earmarked as a potential bump in the road. The Blues’ recent record away at Posh hasn’t made for good reading.
The last time the Blues beat Darren Ferguson’s side was in September 2018, with goals from Jamal Lowe and Ollie Hawkins sending Kenny Jackett’s side top of the table.
However, since then, there have been four defeats on the bounce and ten goals conceded.
These factors make Saturday’s win all the more impressive. Pompey produced arguably their best defensive display of the season and have replicated a feat only Leeds United have managed during the 2023/24 campaign.
Portsmouth replicate Leeds United feat against Peterborough United
Peterborough are among the division’s elite, and many would suggest Ferguson’s side, on their day, are the best team in the third tier.
Their offensive play has always been a strength. At this stage, Posh are the league’s top scorers with 74 goals, 11 more than Pompey.
Furthermore, per FotMob, no team has amassed a higher xG this season. A goal for the home side almost always felt like a formality. However, for the most part, John Mousinho’s side were relatively untroubled and registered their 18th clean sheet of the campaign.
The London Road shutout means the Blues, along with Leeds United, are now the only teams to stop Ferguson’s side from scoring at home this season.
No side from League One has managed to keep Peteborough’s potent attack at bay.
The way Mousinho’s side saw out the game deserves immense credit. The travelling support was expecting an onslaught, which never materialised; the Blues looked more likely to find the back of the net.
If Pompey maintain their rigid backline in the upcoming fixtures against Derby and Barnsley, they will be within touching distance of the League One title. As alluded to by Eric Eisner on Saturday evening, there is still work to do, but the club’s goal is now certainly within reach.