Five of the best for Gareth Evans after notable Portsmouth goal-scoring feat

Gareth Evans pounced on the ponderous Kyle McFadzean’s error, dispossessing the Coventry central defender.
Gareth Evans of Portsmouth FC celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 3-1 during the Sky Bet League 1 match between Portsmouth and Coventry City at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, England on 20 August 2019. Photo by Robin Jones.Gareth Evans of Portsmouth FC celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 3-1 during the Sky Bet League 1 match between Portsmouth and Coventry City at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, England on 20 August 2019. Photo by Robin Jones.
Gareth Evans of Portsmouth FC celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 3-1 during the Sky Bet League 1 match between Portsmouth and Coventry City at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, England on 20 August 2019. Photo by Robin Jones.

Pompey’s skipper then strode forward and calmly slotted a right-footed shot past Marko Marosi to make it 3-1 in the 56th minute.

It also signalled Evans’ feat of netting in five-successive Blues seasons.

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The ever-youthful Kanu was the last to register the goal-scoring achievement – eight-and-a-half years earlier.

Tuesday night’s encounter concluded with a 3-3 draw, an outcome to draw angry responses from the Fratton faithful, appalled at surrendering victory to their nine-man opposition.

Buried within the abject defensive display, however, was an encouraging attacking performance, epitomised by the recalled Evans’ contribution.

Since arriving as a triallist in the summer of 2015, the attacking midfielder has amassed 190 appearances, scored 33 times and won the League Two title and Checkatrade Trophy.

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He has also now netted for Pompey in five-consecutive campaigns as he continues as a first-team regular.

Kanu actually registered during six seasons in a row, before his mutually-agreed exit in the summer of 2012.

Recruited as a free agent by Harry Redknapp on the eve of the 2006-07 campaign, the Nigerian striker would total 28 goals for the Blues.

Among them was the finish which earned Pompey the 2008 FA Cup – the first time they had captured the trophy in 69 years.

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During his six-season stay, Kanu scored in each, although tallied just three times in his final two campaigns.

The goal which signalled the feat of registering in five-consecutive terms arrived in a 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest in January 2011.

More recently, the popular Conor Chaplin registered during four-successive years, yet that run came to an end shortly before his departure for Coventry in August 2018.

A substitute appearance in the Carabao Cup against AFC Wimbledon signified his first and final Pompey outing that term, while he failed to net.

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Before Kanu, youth-team product Gary O’Neil scored in seven-consecutive seasons from 2000-01 until 2006-07.

While Matt Taylor’s feat involved six campaigns in a row, before sold to Bolton in January 2008.

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