Brighton 4 Portsmouth 0 - Neil Allen's verdict: Blues humbled in cup exit but sloppy defensive display biggest concern

Pompey can find comfort in Carabao Cup elimination, but certainly not the scoreline or a worrying defensive display.
Cameron Pring's attempted cross is blocked by Brighton midfielder Davy Propper in the Carabao Cup clash. Picture: Joe PeplerCameron Pring's attempted cross is blocked by Brighton midfielder Davy Propper in the Carabao Cup clash. Picture: Joe Pepler
Cameron Pring's attempted cross is blocked by Brighton midfielder Davy Propper in the Carabao Cup clash. Picture: Joe Pepler

It cannot be a bad outcome to exit at the second round having in recent years been burdened with too many cup fixtures when promotion is the focus.

Certainly Kenny Jackett was not seeking defeat, naming a strong side against a Brighton team, who themselves made 11 changes following their Premier League opener.

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Nonetheless, the Blues were humbled, particularly in the second half, to tumble out of the Carabao Cup following a 4-0 thumping inflicted by their slick hosts.

Defensively, Jackett’s men were sloppy throughout - and how the Seagulls made them suffer.

Of the back four, only Jack Whatmough could emerge with any credit as his defensive colleagues struggled on an evening to forget at the Amex Stadium.

Even then the 24-year-old was substituted on 71 minutes after taking a knock to his right knee after winning a tackle. Reassuringly, it wasn’t his left.

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As for Pompey’s dead-ball delivery, the bulk of which carried out by Ronan Curtis and Cam Pring from corners and free-kicks, were dreadful.

It took Brighton 38 minutes to break the deadlock, through Alexis Mac Allister’s header, to ensure they headed in 1-0 at the break.

However, three goals in 17 second-half minutes ruthlessly heaped further misery as Jackett’s men suddenly found themselves at the hands of a thumping.

Ultimately, the League One side were grateful for the final whistle as a relentless Brighton sensed more goals.

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Not that the result will affect Pompey’s promotion aspirations of course. The gulf at times was to be expected, especially against Alireza Jahanbakhs - a club-record purchase for £17m.

However, defensively - and from dead-balls - the Blues require a big improvement as they return to more important matters on Sunday with a League One trip to Rochdale.

In terms of team selection, Michael Jacobs, who arrived on a free transfer on Monday, was expected to be included among the substitutes, following pre-match comments by manager Kenny Jackett.

However, the forward did not make the Blues’ 18-man match-day squad for their second-round encounter at the Amex Stadium.

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Regardless, Jackett made three changes, with James Bolton, Ryan Williams and Cam Pring handed starts.

They replaced Gareth Evans and Lee Brown, who both dropped to the bench, while Callum Johnson missed out through being cup tied, having appeared for Accrington in the first round.

The alterations saw Williams operating on the right wing, with Marcus Harness pushed inside in the number 10 role, behind lone striker John Marquis.

Jack Whatmough continued in the centre of defence alongside Sean Raggett, with Jackett seemingly not tempted to rest him for a cup encounter.

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There was a return to the squad, though, for Paul Downing, providing defensive cover among the substitutes.

Pompey’s boss is still adamant the 28-year-old has a Fratton Park future, yet that looks increasingly unlikely.

Meanwhile, Alex Bass was once ruled out with an injured ankle, so Duncan Turnbull continues to serve as the substitute keeper, while skipper Tom Naylor made his 100th appearance for the club.

When the match got underway, a lovely move down Brighton’s right on seven minutes saw the ball slipped into Viktor Gyokeres and his powerful shot was beaten out by Craig MacGillivray.

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Bernardo followed-up, yet somehow steered a first-team shot over the bar when the goal gaping as Pompey’s keeper attempted to get back into position.

Moments later, Alexis Mac Allister drilled in a shot from outside the box which MacGillivray saved before gathering.

Brighton were knocking the ball around impressively and already it was shaping up to be a night where Pompey would be asked to work hard out of possession.

Pring combined with Ronan Curtis down the left and the full-back won a corner, which the Irishman delivered right-footed.

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It was a dangerous cross and Bernardo did superbly to prevent Sean Raggett getting a clean header to it and threaten the goal.

Pompey then won a free-kick down the left on 16 minutes and while Curtis’ delivery was a poor one, low and mis-hit, Dan Burn almost diverted it into his own net, giving away a corner.

Jackett’s men got the ball into the net on 20 minutes - only for the linesman’s flag to rule it out.

Bolton’s cross from the right was headed back across goal by Marquis before bundled into the net by Harness, yet the linesman intervened.

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At the other end, Pascal Gross beat MacGillivray only to see his goal-bound shot headed off the line by Whatmough.

Then, on 23 minutes, Dale Stephens’ sublime shot from outside the box struck MacGillivray’s right-hand post and bounced clear.

By now the Premier League side should have been ahead, but, encouragingly, the scoreline was still goalless.

Then Bernardo pulled the ball back from the left and Gross’ first-time shot flashed just wide of the far post.

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Gross earned the game’s first booking on 37 minutes following a foul on Williams as the Australian attempted to launch a counter-attack.

Brighton finally broke the deadlock on 38 minutes when Alireza Jahanbakhsh put in a delightful ball from the right which was met by the head of Mac Allister, giving MacGillivray no chance.

It was thoroughly deserved by the hosts, who now found themselves firmly in control of the cup fixture.

The visitors responded with Harness firing a fierce right-footed shot which was blocked by Joel Veltman, who briefly had to receive treatment following his intervention.

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There were no substitutions at the break and Brighton picked up where they left by bossing possession.

Pompey’s dead-ball situations were becoming a concern and their latest poor attempt occurred when Curtis wastefully drove in a shin-high delivery.

It was 2-0 to Brighton on 53 minutes when Jahanbakhs lashed a stunning shot into the top corner to complete a lovely move from the hosts.

It was effectively game over for Jackett’s men, who now had to ensure they were not on the receiving end of a large scoreline or injuries.

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Bernardo increased the Seagulls’ lead further on 57 minutes following a sloppy piece of play from Pring.

The left-back gifted the hosts a corner when he misdirected an attempted headed back pass. The resulting flag kick was powerfully headed home by Brighton’s left-back.

Pompey made a double change on 63 minutes, with Andy Cannon and Ellis Harrison introduced for Curtis and Marquis.

It was 4-0 on 70 minutes when Viktor Gyokeres too easily turned Bolton inside the box and fired across MacGillivray to net.

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Whatmough, who earlier was left hobbling and rubbing his right knee after making a successful tackle, was replaced on 71 minutes by Downing.

Fortunately there was to be no further damage inflicted on Pompey, as they headed out of the Carabao Cup.

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