Pompey er i kvartfinalen i EFL Trophy.

Det blev til en overraskende enkel 0-2 sejr ude mod Southend, da de to hold tirsdag aften kæmpede om en plads blandt de sidste 8 hold i tuneringen.

Hjemmeholdet tog opgaven ganske seriøs, og stillede med stort set stærkeste opstilling, mens Pompey havde 10 ændringer fra kampen i weekenden. Kun Gareth Evans var genganger.

Kampen var dårlig nok startet, før Pompey tog føringen 0-1. Det kom efter et indlæg fra højre side, og et lidt kikset hovedstød, ja det gik højt og lige under Southends overligger fra Louis Dennis.

Det var ikke den start hjemmeholdet havde drømt om, og de forsøgte at skabe et pres, men Pompey stod ganske solidt. I forsvaret var Burgess sikkerheden selv som centerback i en af hans få kampe i denne sæson, og selv om angriberen Dan Smith var sat ud på højrebacken, ja så gav forsvaret lidt væk.

Foran forvaret lå Adam May og ryddede op, og de to offensive kræfter Gareth Evans og Andre Green dirigerede fremme. Unge May havde ligeså et par afslutninger, som dog gik noget over mål.

Det var således endnu engang et optrevlet angreb fra Southend, der skabte næste store chance. Andre Green fik bolden lidt udenfor eget felt, og i stedet for at losse bolden væk, ja så lavede han et hurtigt ryk, og med et par Southend spillere halsende efter sig som hunde efter en ræv, spillede han en perfekt bold til Wheeler, som alene med keeperen afsluttede lidt svagt, og skuddet røg på ydersiden af stolpen.

En enkelt gang fik hjemmeholdet skabt tilløb til en chance, men indlægget tæt under mål, ja det kørte forbi.

Pausen nærmede sig, og Pompey fik fat i en bold sparket væk fra Southends forsvar. Et par fine afleveringer, og nå ja lidt held, så endte bolden hos Gareth Evans, der fra kanten af feltet tordnede bolden enkelt i målet.

Så var Southend noget slukøret.

Efter pauseteen, ja der kom aldrig det forventede pres fra Southend, om end de havde tilløb til muligheder, så lykkedes de i hele kampen, blot en enkelt gang at ramme målet med en afslutning.

Imponerende af Pompeys B-hold, der enkelt lod tiden løbe og med en 0-2 sejr dermed er i kvartfinalen.

Pompeys mulige modstandere

Manchester City akademi

Sunderland (L1)

Bury (L2)

Port Vale (L2)

Chelsea akademi/Peterborough (L1)

Oxford (L1)

Bristol Rovers (L1)

Pompey assistent manager Joe Gallen

 “We made a lot of changes from our usual starting line-up and were up against a very strong Southend side.

“But I thought we played very well – two good goals, a clean sheet and on to the next round. It was extremely pleasing.

Dan Smith would say he’s a centre-forward, but he slotted in at right-back and put in a decent cross for the opener.

“Louis headed it in well and that’s his first goal for us, so we’re happy for him and for the combination between those two players.

“Gareth’s a very fit guy and is having a great season for us. He had a slightly different role than usual and it was a clean finish – he strikes the ball brilliantly with left and right foot.

“We had certain rules to abide by with picking the team and also wanted a bit of experience with so many youngsters.

“Southend didn’t have too many chances and that’s always the starting point for us, so well done to everyone for the defending, which begins from the front with our pressing and works back.

“We expected to be up against it more in the second half, but it was fairly comfortable and it was pretty good going for us.”

Southend manager Chris Powell

It’s the worst possible start – we were flat and we looked rusty. We had the worst possible start and then we just couldn’t build up any true momentum to get ourselves in the game. There was the odd flash here or there, but it was very tough. 

They physically competed really well and it was hard for us to do anything in the first-half. To go in at 1-0 would have been helpful, but then they punched us in injury-time at the end of the first-half and that obviously brings a different complexion on it. 

We huffed and puffed but it was flat and we needed a spark. I know we need bodies, I think we need something just to spark us off – whether that’s a few new players or not – but we looked really flat tonight and our quality at times was poor. 

We had one or two chances and, even then, we’re not putting our foot through it, we’re not shooting, we’re not taking the chances that we’ve practised and that’s disappointing. Without a doubt, there’s no excuses from me, we need a response straight away on Saturday. 

Kommentarer fra Twitter

#Pompey top of the League One table, fourth round of @EmiratesFACup against QPR coming up, and now through to the QFinals of the @CheckatradeTrpy Still in for three trophies, although I know which one I want the most.

We will end up winning the FLT at this rate #pup #Pompey

Got no problem with Kenny making big changes for any of the cup games now. Keeps the squad players match fit and ready to go for the 2nd half of the league season #Pompey

10 changes and a win. #kennyknows #Pompey

As much as I hate the Checkatrade and all it represents, the EFL will always win because I just can’t wish my team to lose! #pompey #wembleybound

Nice easy game and clean sheet for Bass. Think the youngsters did themselves well today as a very organised side @officialpompey #pompey

Checkatrade cup final. Pompey Sunderland. 90,000 at Wembley. I can see it now. #EFLCup #Pompey #Sunderland

MOTM performance from Gareth Evans tonight. Never stops working hard. Dennis also a threat tonight. #Pompey playing some great football

EFL Trophy 1/8-finale, Roots Hall, 8. Januar 2019

Southend – Portsmouth 0-2 (0-2)

1 min 0-1 Louis Dennis

45 min 0-2 Gareth Evans

Pompey (4-2-3-1): Bass; Smith, Casey, Burgess, Haunstrup; Evans (c), May; Wheeler, Dennis, Green (Read 46); Lethbridge (Maloney 54)

Bænken: Durin, Mnoga, Clarke, Hancott, Lowe, Read, Maloney

Tilskuere: 1,649 (189 Pompey fans)