Former Portsmouth striker insists Tom Naylor effort against Peterborough just as good as Pedro Mendes goal that sealed win over Man City to spark Great Escape

Now the Pompey captain is drawing comparisons with another former Premier League ace who had a knack of scoring the spectacular – only this time the similarities are closer to home!

Fratton Park, in fact, and ex-Blues favourite Pedro Mendes.

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The Portuguese netted only five goals during his 70-game spell on the south coast between 2006-2008.

But two of those strikes will forever remain in Fratton folklore. Yes, you’ve guessed it, his double against Manchester City on March 11, 2006.

Both came in a 2-1 win against the Citizens, with Mendes’ timely intervention that day kick-starting Pompey’s Great Escape from relegation.

And both proved spectacular efforts, too, with his decisive winner from outside the 18-yard-box in front of the Fratton End coming with just seconds remaining on the clock.

On that spring afternoon, the 19,556 fans packed inside Fratton Park couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed.

Only 2,000 fans were present for Naylor’s latest effort from long range – his sixth of the season and fifth in seven outings – as the Blues disposed of League One promotion rivals Peterborough.

But, no matter the circumstances, former Pompey striker Guy Whittingham believes the skipper’s strike against Posh was just as good as Mendes’ second goal in the victory over Man City nearly 15 years previous.

He told BBC Radio Solent: ‘He (Naylor) has scored a few the last couple of weeks, he's suddenly become quite a consistent goalscorer.

‘Is that something to do with the system Portsmouth are playing now?

‘The 4-4-2, where he has to be a little bit further up pitch, he can't sit in as much as he used to in the 4-2-3-1.

‘But the strike!

‘There's a lot of Portsmouth fans out there who will remember Mendes' strike, one of the goals that helped Portsmouth stay up in the Premier League how many years ago – and that was every bit as good as that.

‘It was a pure strike, he timed it perfectly, a good amount of power on it, gave the goalkeeper no chance whatsoever and the ball was still rising as it hit the back of the net.

‘He's not the new Pedro Mendes yet, there is a difference, but that strike was fantastic.

‘I’m eulogising about it because I'm so jealous. I couldn't reach the goal from that far out!’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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