Portsmouth 4 Crewe 1: Neil Allen's verdict - Prankster Kenny Jackett revelling in new-look Blues' free-scoring feats

A grinning Kenny Jackett repeated his trick a few steps further, this time Ronan Curtis the victim, receiving a playful push during a Radio Solent interview.

Things are a little out of the ordinary at Fratton Park at present.

Saturday’s destruction of Crewe signified the third time in 10 league outings that the Blues had put four goals past an opponent.

In the process, Pompey established themselves as League One’s top scorers, with 25 goals from 13 matches.

Suddenly the side whose attacking effectiveness was denounced earlier in the campaign have established themselves as a free-scoring team boasting John Marquis as the division’s leading marksman.

And all achieved by largely operating with two up front in a conventional 4-4-2. Strange times indeed.

For his fourth season, there have been occasions when Jackett has been subjected to truly abhorrent social media comments, some focused on wishing him ill-health.

The vast majority, however, have stayed within the boundaries of common decently and simply demanded his removal as Pompey manager.

Spared of such supporter confrontation through this behind-closed-doors existence, the circumstances have actually been kind to the under-fire boss.

Still, Jackett’s display of good-natured tomfoolery with two of his key players in the aftermath of Saturday’s 4-1 triumph provided a telling insight.

Never one to let pressure manifest itself into a lack of control during public situations, whether on the touchline or addressing the press, it revealed a man relaxed in the current situation.

There is, of course, every reason for Jackett to feel at ease. Following five wins in their last seven league games, the Blues are placed fourth, three points adrift of top spot, albeit having played a fixture more.

The season has clicked, the goals are flowing, the system thriving, Doncaster’s John Marquis has re-emerged from his sabbatical, Andy Cannon has found a home, Ronan Curtis’ buzz has returned and the points are rattling up on a consistent basis.

In addition, for successive games, a double substitution at half-time worked in Pompey’s favour, raising their game considerably during the second period.

At Plymouth, such drastic actions earned a point. On Saturday the full-back alterations effectively sealed a home victory by the 56th minute.

Even Plan B is reaping rewards. No wonder Jackett can afford a smile and a spot of repartee with his players.

In fairness, his Blues side has never been short of goals through its various revisions, despite the common accusation thrown at him.

After 186 matches in charge, Pompey average scoring 1.6 goals per game, totalling 298 in all competitions, while conceding 206 times.

No team outside the Premier League netted more goals in 2018-19. Last term, only Peterborough, Rotherham and Oxford registered more in League One.

Granted, the style of football has often been stale, one dimensional and lacking in joy for a fanbase who have largely become bored with this tenure.

However, since the 4-2 hammering at Burton at October’s opening, the output has been spectacular.

Even Jackett’s most stubborn critics would surely acknowledge this remarkable turnaround presently witnessed. For this team is unrecognisable.

Still, in the interests of not becoming too giddy, it is important to remember we are just 13 matches into a league season. Natural cynicism should not be dismissed as negativity.

As the cliche goes, these remain early days, the second round of the FA Cup has not yet been played. But, unmistakably, it is immensely heartening.

Against Crewe, the 4-1 scoreline does not quite reflect the full story. It was a comfortable win, nonetheless.

Pompey were ruthless in front of goal and devastating on the counter attack. For all the visitors’ domination in possession, all they had to show was a hotly-disputed penalty four minutes into stoppage time.

The Railwaymen should gaze with begrudging admiration towards Craig MacGillivray, the keeper making his 100th appearance for the Blues and bouncing back from a rare error at Plymouth.

The Scot conjured up two stunning first-half saves, while another improbable one after the break was ruled out purely because of the raising of the linesman’s flag for offside.

He deserved far better than to be sent the wrong way by Oli Finney from the penalty spot in time added on after referee James Oldham adjudged Lee Brown to have handled.

A clean sheet would have been fitting on the day of MacGillivray’s accomplishment. Nonetheless, it remains a proud landmark for the free transfer arrival from Shrewsbury.

Yet it was Pompey’s combined attacking might which secured their latest win, primarily led by Ronan Curtis, featuring less than 72 hours after making his full debut for the Republic of Ireland.

While Crewe appeared the more polished side in the opening 45 minutes, they were undone by two awful defensive errors which the Blues ruthlessly capitalised on.

On 15 minutes, Omar Beckles’ pass out was read by Ellis Harrison rather than his own team-mate, launching a rapid attack which culminated with Marquis’ first-time reverse pass finding Curtis.

The Irishman instantly fired off a right-footed shot which found the far corner with precision, despite not connecting cleanly.

Then, five minutes before half-time, Beckles was involved once more in handing the hosts an opportunity.

When centre-half partner Luke Offord passed across the box to him, Beckles inexplicably allowed the ball to shoot by, enabling Curtis to pounce.

He cut inside his man, despite an apparent tug, and finished with quick feet as keeper Will Jasskelainen took him out, with the referee playing advantage in Pompey’s favour.

It was goal number eight of the season from Curtis, who has now netted 34 times in 110 Pompey appearances.

At the break, concerned with how both his full-backs were performing defensively despite leading 2-0, Jackett substituted Haji Mnoga on his full Football League debut and Cam Pring.

Instead he brought on Callum Johnson and Lee Brown – and within 11 minutes of the restart Pompey had raced into a 4-0 lead.

Firstly, a clearing header from Marcus Harness’ right-wing cross fell to Tom Naylor 25 yards from goal, who cleverly dropped his shoulder to go inside his man before drilling a perfectly-placed left-footed shot into the near post.

On 56 minutes it was 4-0 when an incorrectly-awarded throw in Pompey’s favour was delivered quickly by Harrison into the path of Curtis down the left, whose right-footed shot was saved by Jasskelainen.

When Marquis’ first-time right-footed follow-up struck the corner of the bar and post, he was on hand to head the fortuitous ricochet into a gaping net for his 11th of the campaign.

No wonder Pompey’s normally reserved boss was in such high spirits afterwards.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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