'Got away with one' - Portsmouth boss shares honest verdict after dramatic win vs Sheffield United
Portsmouth overcame a Sheffield United fightback to beat Chris Wilder’s side 3-2 at Fratton Park on Wednesday evening.
Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho admitted that his side “got away with one” after beating Sheffield United 3-2 in a topsy-turvy Championship clash at Fratton Park on Wednesday night.
Following goals either side of half-time from Zak Swanson and Adrian Segečić, it looked as though Pompey were coasting towards their second home win of the season, especially as United were down to ten men after Hamza Choudhury was controversially sent off just minutes before Swanson’s spectacular opener.
However, United, to their credit, came roaring back, halving the deficit through a well-taken finish from Japhet Tanganga before Tom Cannon headed home from a Kalvin Phillips corner to level proceedings.
But just as it looked as though United were going to return to South Yorkshire with a hard-fought point in the bag, Ebou Adams restored Pompey’s lead in the 89th minute, firing home from inside the penalty area to seal an important win for the home side.
Having watched his side blow a two-goal lead earlier in the second half, Mousinho, has been under pressure from some corners of the Pompey fan base recently, was relieved to clinch all three points.
“The result is obviously the most important thing and we’re pleased to come away with all three points,” Mousinho said, as quoted by Pompey’s club website. “It was an unbelievable strike from Zak to give us the lead and we’ve seen a few from him like that over the past few years.
“But I’m furious at the goals we conceded, which almost cost us. We’ve got away with one and need to learn plenty of lessons.
“At one point it looked like we would have to work hard not to lose the game, so it was a rollercoaster night of emotions. We were left scratching our heads at some of the choices we made – there were some really bad decisions.
“The celebrations on the pitch at the final whistle were rightly muted and there was an interesting atmosphere in the dressing room. We can be so much better and have to keep improving because I know there’s a lot more to come from this group.”