AdminPortsmouth took a significant step towards Championship safety with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leicester City at Fratton Park, moving seven points clear of the relegation places with only three matches remaining.
John Mousinho’s side climbed to 18th in the table after another determined display, extending their unbeaten run to five matches and collecting maximum points from each of their last three outings.
In contrast, Leicester were left facing the growing possibility of a second successive relegation after another damaging afternoon.
Former Championship striker Tommy Smith believes Pompey have now done enough to preserve their second-tier status after showing the resilience Leicester failed to produce.
Speaking on Sky Sports after Saturday’s game, he said: ‘Five games now unbeaten for Pompey against some tough opposition.
‘He was dead right to mention the QPR game pre-the international break. Off the back of that, it could’ve gone one of two ways but it’s gone in a really positive way.
‘It optimises what Portsmouth have had in these last five games and what Leicester haven’t.
‘Pompey had everything Leicester need in terms of that fight, aggression and they got the job done.
‘They’ve now put themselves in an unbelievable position and I think they’re as good as safe.’
There was also debate around the winning goal, with Leicester appearing to question a possible handball in the build-up. However, fellow pundit Mat Sadler backed the officials’ decision.
He said: ‘I don’t want to see that goal taken away from anybody.
‘For me that’s a goal in every way you look at it.’
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