Portsmouth 3 West Bromwich Albion 0: Neil Allen's verdict - One of our own makes timely reappearance after eight-year wait
The Blues moved up to 20th in the table after making it one defeat in their last nine league matches
There it was, finally, Fratton Park in unison, the song had returned, Conor Chaplin was back: He’s one of our own.
There have, of course, been impressive homegrown players since the diminutive attacker left in August 2018. Marlon Pack, for instance, Matt Ritchie is another, plus honourable mentions for Ben Close and Jack Whatmough.
Not forgetting John Swift, although the Gosport lad never emerged through the Blues’ youth-team ranks having embarked on the Chelsea route into the professional game.
Yet it has largely, almost exclusively, been Chaplin’s chant, irrespective of his Worthing background and a Pompey association which began at the age of six as an attendee at the Chichester development centre.
Not that the familiar tune has been rolled out too many times this season. While Chaplin’s reputation has undoubtedly soared during his seven-year sabbatical from the south coast, bafflingly he has subsequently struggled to pick up where he left off.
It has generally been a disappointing contribution, albeit not through lack of passion, effort, desire and dedication. Chaplin had long spoken of his ambition to return to the Blues - rather cruelly, the emotional homecoming hadn’t truly clicked.
First Pompey goal in eight years
Then, on 20 minutes, Millenic Alli retrieved Terry Devlin’s overhit cross from the right and, while threatening to take on the West Brom man blocking his path, he suddenly pulled the ball back.
With a sublime swing of the left foot, the number 36 sweetly connected to register in front of the Fratton End. Pompey had their breakthrough and Chaplin possessed his first goal in their colours for almost eight years.
David Raya, then playing for Blackburn Rovers in February 2018, was the previous goalkeeper he beat. To emphasise the lengthy passing of time, The Spaniard is, of course, now a £27m player featuring for Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Still, Chaplin conjured up a beautiful moment on Saturday. After an agonising 23-game wait to open his second Blues goal account, it had arrived at last - and the 28-year-old’s explosion of emotion was a joy to share.
Then it started, reverberating around Fratton Park, like old times. Memories of Southsea Common, the Victory Lounge on Bank Holiday Monday, Cheltenham, Notts County away, that Wycombe header, that Barnet belter, the visit in Ipswich colours during a standing ovation when subbed off amid a 4-0 Pompey defeat.
That was the Conor Chaplin we remembered, the prodigal son enthusiastically welcomed back on the final day of the summer transfer window. He’s one of our own, he’s one of our own. In the 20th minute, there was a lump lodged in many of our throats.
Suddenly, that burden removed from his shoulders, he sparkled gloriously. There were clever touches, improbable twists and turns away from trouble, classy flicks, darting forays forward, the full arsenal of a player who turned out in the Premier League last season.
In the second half, as the game petered out with Pompey in absolute control, he created a superb assist for Ebou Adams with an intelligent first-time pass, while had another shot cleared off the line.
Callum Lang finalising Pompey departure
While pre-match chatter focused on Callum Lang in the process of finalising a switch to long-time admirers Preston North End, Chaplin provided a tantalising reminder that there is life after the popular Scouser.
Crowned man of the match, there were plenty of other contenders, such were the lofty standards set during an impressive Pompey victory in a match against a West Brom side now rightly regarded as relegation candidates.
A month ago, Mousinho's men were hammered 5-0 at Bristol City. Of that starting XI, Conor Shaughnessy is injured, while Ibane Bowat, Luke Le Roux, John Swift and Makenzie Kirk currently occupy the bench.
The signing of Alli on loan from Luton was a masterstroke, despite a largely lukewarm reaction from the Pompey faithful, with a goal and assist against West Brom. He added the second on 25 minutes following a wonderful Andre Dozzell pass.
Adams has made a sensational entrance with two goals in four outings capping some powerhouse displays. With Keshi Anderson offering exciting glimpses off the bench, Aji Alese remaining among the substitutes and Paraguayan relative unknown quantity Gustavo Caballero incoming, the transfer window is beginning to transform the Blues’ season.
Michael Eisner’s transfer window
Admittedly, just £500,000 has been outlaid by owners Tornante so far, with three loans and one free transfer completing the five recruits. Yet, as it stands, without having seen Alese and Caballero in action, there remains hope for another Championship survival act.
Mousinho has now overseen one defeat in nine league games, with West Brom arguably their most complete performance of the season. It’s not just Chaplin who is beginning to dust the cobwebs off and is warming up nicely.
Of course another centre-forward is required, particularly with Colby Bishop leaving Fratton Park with a protective boot on his left leg having been forced off in the match. Certainly any proceeds from a potential Lang sale must be immediately reinvested into strengthening the squad this transfer window.
In the meantime, Fratton Park made their feelings known on Saturday: He’s one of our own.