Portsmouth secured a second win in three days with a gritty 1-0 victory away to Norwich City on Saturday. Marko Milovanovic's 50th-minute penalty was the decisive moment at Carrow Road, lifting Pompey to 13th in the Championship on 14 points after 10 games.
The result marks a remarkable turnaround in mood after a difficult period, with John Mousinho's side now on a two-game winning run. The win followed a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Sheffield United just 72 hours earlier, building vital momentum.
A game of few chances
Neither side managed a shot on target in a dull opening 35 minutes. Portsmouth wide-man Ryan Kavuma-McQueen sent a long-range effort well over, while Norwich's Adrian Segecic saw a shot blocked after good work from Abu Kamara.
The game's turning point arrived early in the second half. Jacob Wright was penalised for tripping Kamara inside the Norwich area, and Milovanovic stepped up to convert the spot-kick. It was his third goal of the season and proved enough for the points.
Portsmouth's defence, marshalled by the centre-half partnership of Madiodio Dia and Regan Poole, held firm under late pressure. Dia required treatment for a head injury midway through the first half, changing his shirt after a nasty blow, but he played on to help secure the clean sheet. Norwich came closest when Pelle Mattsson struck the inside of the far post, but Nicolas Schmid's goal was otherwise well protected.
Context of a comeback
This win represents a significant shift in atmosphere. Just seven days earlier, Portsmouth had suffered a 1-0 south-coast derby defeat to Southampton at St Mary's, a result that followed fan discontent. The consecutive victories have provided what one observer called "sunshine after the storms in a remarkable seven-day turnaround."
The team's recent form now reads two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five matches. With 13 goals scored and 13 conceded this season, they have a neutral goal difference as they prepare for their next challenge.
Norwich, meanwhile, suffered a fifth successive league defeat, leaving them with eight losses in 11 Championship games. Their fans voiced frustration at full-time, calling for the dismissal of sporting director Ben Knapper and head coach Philippe Clement.
Portsmouth's 1,360 travelling supporters celebrated a hard-fought win that moves them nine points behind league leaders Swansea. Attention now turns to extending this run, with an away fixture against Wolves on Tuesday, 20 October.
The original report is at Portsmouth News
Marko Milovanović's 51st-minute penalty sealed the 1-0 win at Norwich City on October 17, a result that lifts Portsmouth to 13th in the Championship on 14 points. The club confirmed their defence made 29 clearances to protect the lead, with Regan Poole making nine of them. Portsmouth, who have scored 13 and conceded 13 this season, now face Wolves away on October 20.
