Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett angered by defending and deficiencies which led to downfall at Sunderland

Kenny Jackett slammed the defending which led to Pompey’s downfall at Sunderland.
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And the Blues boss pinpointed a continuing inability to make the most of getting into good crossing areas as a key factor in Saturday’s 2-1 loss.

Pompey threw away a lead provided by Marcus Harness’ first goal for the club and a golden chance to turn up the heat on Jack Ross at the Stadium of Light.

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First-half goals from Jordan Willis and Chris Maguire turned the game on its header, however.

And Jackett was frustrated with the manner in which both of them were conceded.

He said: ‘The first goal was an out-swinger and a one-touch header from Willis.

‘That was really poor from our point of view.

‘It’s really difficult to score from an out-swinger directly.

Sunderland goalscorer Chris Maguire pulls Pompey centre-back Paul Downing out wide  Picture: Malcolm MackenzieSunderland goalscorer Chris Maguire pulls Pompey centre-back Paul Downing out wide  Picture: Malcolm Mackenzie
Sunderland goalscorer Chris Maguire pulls Pompey centre-back Paul Downing out wide Picture: Malcolm Mackenzie
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‘He’s put it straight in, so from our marking and our zone men it’s a poor one.

‘I thought it was a poor corner to concede, too.

‘No one really put their name on it. They played it down that side too easily for me.

‘The keeper had no chance from that one and similarly for the second it’s a bit of ricochet off Walkes, a cross and a tap-in for Maguire.

Pompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Malcolm MackenziePompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Malcolm Mackenzie
Pompey boss Kenny Jackett. Picture: Malcolm Mackenzie

‘It’s a flash of quality which has ultimately won them the game.’

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If the mistakes at the back were costly, so too was the inability of Pompey to deliver better crosses when they were well placed in wide areas.

That has now been a key factor in both of the defeats Jackett’s men have suffered this term.

He added: ‘It was a lot of possession but was there enough quality into the box? Probably not.

‘We had a number of chances we did create though which we didn’t make enough of or it didn’t fall for us.

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‘I did feel that in both halves we were quite good and in control.

‘But ultimately we couldn’t produced the quality going forward to get us back into the game.'

Pompey’s superior possession did carve out openings after the break with John Marquis and Gareth Evans missing chances, while impressive sub Ross McCrorie’s 80th-minute cross was almost diverted into the net by Grant Leadbitter.

That was another significant factor for Jackett who accepted his side didn’t do enough to make the most of mounting Sunderland tension after Marcus Harness’ goal.

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Jackett said: ‘Maybe that’s the case (Pompey didn’t make the most of tension).

‘Similarly, we didn’t fall away or cave in through the second half.

‘We had a good attitude and kept driving on until the end.

‘It is (a frustration), but even so we had enough time to get into it (after Sunderland's goals).

‘In the second period we had enough of the ball but ultimately two pieces of quality have got them the goals

‘While we had the lion’s share of possession we couldn’t find that cutting edge and the big chances which came our way couldn’t get us back into the game.’

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