The Blues started positively enough at Hull with Terry Devlin’s deflected shot giving them a 16th-minute lead.
However, poor defending allowed Enis Destan and Kyle Joseph to turn the game on its head, with the Tigers getting themselves in front.
Yet, in first-team half stoppage-time Devlin’s second, a head from Josh Murphy’s wonderful cross, ensured it was 2-2 going in at the break.
However, the match was settled in the hosts’ favour when Gelhardt lobbed the ball over the advancing Josef Bursik to settle it 3-2.
9. Conor Chaplin - 6
(Replaced by Makenzie Kirk on 83 minutes) Again an encouraging game but, crucially, still unable to impact the Blues enough in attacking areas. Some nice touches and plenty of endeavour throughout. Photo: Stephen Flynn
10. Josh Murphy - 7
Wonderful cross from the left for Devlin’s second in a moment of absolute class. Yet looked leggy and not his usual self, perhaps evidence of Wednesday night’s long shift on his starting comeback. It didn’t help that he wasn’t given the ball enough an criminally underused. Photo: Graham Hunt
11. Colby Bishop - 5
Battled away and won a few fouls in physical tussles, yet wasn’t given a sniff of a goal-scoring opportunity by his team-mates as the drought continues. Requires help and creativity to flourish again. Played a role in Pompey’s second when he pressed the win the ball back for Murphy to create. Photo: Graham Hunt
12. Portsmouth FC defender Jordan Williams (2) and Hull City defender Lewis Coyle (2) during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Portsmouth at the MKM Stadium, Kingston upon Hull, England on 8 November 2025.
Jordan Williams tries to cut out a cross from Hull's Lewis Coyle. Picture: Ian Lyall/ProSportsImages Photo: Ian Lyall