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Conor Chaplin’s Triumphant Return Fuels Portsmouth‘s Dominant 3-0 Victory Over West Brom
Conor Chaplin’s impactful comeback to his boyhood club Portsmouth was the catalyst for a commanding 3-0 win against a struggling West Bromwich Albion side. Chaplin, who rejoined Pompey on loan from Ipswich Town, opened the scoring and set the tone early in the match. His goal was followed by strikes from recent January acquisitions Millenic Alli and Ebou Adams, securing a crucial victory for Portsmouth as they aim to climb the Championship table.
West Brom’s Woes Deepen as Portsmouth Builds Momentum
West Brom’s form continues to deteriorate, with just one win in their last nine matches and a troubling away record that has seen them fail to win on the road since early October. Sitting precariously just three points above the relegation zone, their struggles contrast sharply with Portsmouth’s resurgence. Portsmouth entered the game on the back of a spirited late equalizer against Southampton and carried that confidence into a dominant first half that left West Brom overwhelmed.
Chaplin’s Persistent Offense Breaks the Deadlock
Right from kickoff, Chaplin was a constant threat, testing West Brom’s goalkeeper Max O’Leary with multiple attempts. His early chances included a sharp close-range effort from a Terry Devlin cross and a curling shot from outside the box that forced a save. A slick passing move down the right flank saw Chaplin narrowly miss a crucial cutback, but his persistence paid dividends in the 20th minute.
Millenic Alli’s precise cutback found Chaplin in the box, allowing him to confidently score and end a 2,910-day goal drought for Portsmouth. Since his last goal for Pompey, Chaplin had gained valuable experience at Coventry, Barnsley, and Ipswich, making this moment a significant milestone in his career.
New Signings Amplify Portsmouth’s Control
Portsmouth doubled their lead just five minutes later. Millenic Alli, who joined on loan from Luton Town earlier in January, showcased his speed by outpacing the West Brom defense and calmly slotting the ball past O’Leary for his first goal with the club. West Brom’s only half-chance in the first half was a wayward shot off target, underscoring their inability to break down Portsmouth’s solid defense.
In response to the one-sided first half, West Brom manager Eric Ramsay made tactical adjustments at halftime, substituting three players and switching from a back three to a back four in an effort to regain control of the game.
Pompey Clinches Victory Early in Second Half
Just three minutes after the restart, Portsmouth extinguished any hopes of a West Brom comeback. Chaplin, now also contributing assists, delivered a precise pass to Ebou Adams, who scored despite O’Leary’s valiant save attempt. Adams, already a fan favorite after scoring the equalizer against Southampton, further solidified his importance to the team.
West Brom’s Mikey Johnston managed a powerful shot that was expertly tipped over by Portsmouth’s goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid, marking the visitors’ only notable effort on target. As the match wore on, West Brom’s lack of quality and Portsmouth’s strategic energy management ahead of a rescheduled fixture against Ipswich on Tuesday saw the intensity drop.
Chaplin nearly added a late goal in the 89th minute, but his shot was blocked. Portsmouth remain unbeaten in their last four league matches, moving above West Brom in the standings and extending their safety margin to four points above the relegation zone.
Unfortunately, the positive atmosphere was dampened late in the game when assistant referee James Wilson was struck by an object thrown from the home supporters’ section, an incident that overshadowed an otherwise impressive day for Portsmouth.
Managerial Insights: Contrasting Views on the Match
John Mousinho Praises Portsmouth’s Performance
“This was arguably our best performance of the season and a vital win,” said Portsmouth’s John Mousinho. “The team executed everything we’ve been working on over recent months. From the first whistle, we dominated physically and tactically, winning key duels and showing great commitment. The difference today was our clinical finishing, which had been lacking in previous games.”
Eric Ramsay Reflects on West Brom’s Challenges
West Brom’s Eric Ramsay acknowledged the difficulties facing his squad: “I knew the challenge when I took over, and while I hoped for better results early on, the reality has been tough. It’s important to stay calm and constructive, keeping the team focused. We must take responsibility for our performances and look inward to improve.”
“There hasn’t been a significant improvement since my arrival, which is disappointing. We won’t stick to the same approach blindly; changes are necessary. We need to focus on basics like competing for second balls and address broader tactical issues. I won’t single out individual players for blame.”
Future Outlook
Portsmouth’s revival, highlighted by Chaplin’s influential return and the impact of recent loan signings, offers hope for their Championship survival campaign. Meanwhile, West Brom must urgently reassess their tactics and squad dynamics to halt their downward spiral as the season progresses.
