Portsmouth 1 Southampton 1: Neil Allen's verdict - The running man who has rapidly entered Fratton folklore

Admittedly, it was no David Norris. Certainly the technical merits of Pompey’s first south-coast derby goal for more than 14 years could never be applauded.

An Adrian Segecic corner ballooned off a Southampton defender’s thigh and, amid the six-yard box carnage, the ball perhaps glanced off Ebou Adams’ head, it definitely ricocheted off his right arm. 1-1.

As the Fratton faithful roared, Connor Ogilvie scooped the ball from the back of the net and delivered his best wishes to the away fans stationed in the Milton End, while a screaming Zak Swanson raced towards the South Stand, thumping his chest with his right hand.

Then there was the goalscorer’s own celebration, a beautifully spontaneous moment now etched in Fratton folklore.

Adams ran and ran and ran, leaving jubilant team-mates in his slipstream with a delirious Fratton End fixed in his sights. Finally halting some six yards from the edge of the pitch, he saluted.

The former Derby favourite had sprinted almost the full length of Fratton Park’s playing surface to savour a goal against Southampton. Certainly a considerably more iconic moment than the unwieldy manner of that cherished equaliser.

‘A Pompey player through-and-through’

‘I was trying to tell him to get back into his slot, just to concentrate and make sure that we didn’t get too carried away,’ laughed John Mousinho.

‘He is a Pompey player, that’s the best way I can describe it. I know the fans will understand that. It might sound strange from the outside - but he’s a Pompey player through-and-through.

‘It’s the way he plays, the intensity, the aggression. He could have the worst-ever game technically, yet he’d give absolutely everything and no-one would ever criticise him for anything.’

In just 213 playing minutes as a Blues player, it is abundantly clear the Fratton faithful have themselves a perfect fit and a new footballing hero.

While summer signings Mark Kosznovszky and Luke Le Roux required an adjustment period and impossible patience to stand any chance of finding their feet, a 30-year-old former Forest Green Rovers player has crashed into the first-team and instantly won supporters’ hearts.

Soberingly, he cost half the price of the two foreign imports who have still to prove their worth, although, in fairness, Kosznovszky is sidelined by a season-ending knee injury.

Unquestionably, as Derby’s reigning Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, Adams was considerably out of Pompey’s reach last summer. Yet things can swiftly change in football.

Now he has become the most important January signing since Rob Atkinson. Only, on this occasion, thankfully it is a permanent arrangement, namely until the summer of 2028.

Short-term recruitment

Since returning to the Championship, Pompey’s recruitment has been criticised for focusing on tomorrow rather than strengthening for today, prioritising the signing of young, upcoming talent which can potentially be cashed in once developed.

It’s a plausible business model, yet there is still football to be played in the here and now - and relegation to League One to be avoided.

Faced with that startling reality, for the second January transfer window running Pompey have embarked on a short-term approach to their recruitment, rubber-stamped with hand-wringing approval by Mousinho.

As a consequence, Adams has entered the building, along with Millenic Alli and Keshi Anderson. Not one below the age of 25 and all boasting Championship experience - and the three of them were involved in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Mousinho was forced into one change from the side which collected an impressive point at Watford in the week, with a groin injury prompting Regan Poole to drop to the bench and Ibane Bowat handed a recall.

Bowat partnered Zak Swanson in a make-shift centre-half partnership, with Connor Ogilvie returning to left-back, while Adams and Alli again started, with Anderson named on the bench after his recent arrival.

Admittedly, Nicolas Schmid saved Pompey twice in the opening 20 minutes against Southampton, on both occasions from Adam Armstrong. The first thwarting the striker in a one-on-one, the second an instinctive diving save to his right.

Encouraging Pompey first half

Yet it was the Blues who consistently threatened more in the opening 45 minutes, edging the first half without quite challenging Daniel Peretz other than corners and one Alli low right-footed shot which curled narrowly past the far post.

Then, on 57 minutes, the collapse of a short free-kick routine allowed Southampton to counter at pace. with the bulk of Mousinho’s men stranded in the opposition penalty area - and Leo Scienza did the rest.

Anderson and Marlon Pack were introduced and suddenly Pompey began to find their rhythm once more, with Adams levelling in the 77th minute.

Certainly the Blues finished the stronger of the two sides, roared on by an expectant Fratton Park and pushing for a winner, yet, in truth, the visiting goalkeeper would never be truly tested again.

Just like the 2011-12 season when the fierce rivals last occupied a division together, both south-coast derbies finished in draws.

And while David Norris’ goal occupies Fratton folklore, now Adams’ celebration has joined him. A Pompey player through-and-through.

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