Spot-on substitutions and the Fratton faithful's influence - the key factors behind Portsmouth's Checkatrade Trophy triumph over Sunderland

It was a Wembley occasion that will live long in the heart of Pompey fans.
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A year ago today, more than 42,000 Blues supporters descended on the home of football for the Checkatrade Trophy final against Sunderland.

And what an experience it was.

Both League One heavyweights served up a match full of drama that was worthy of its surroundings

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Yet it was the Blues who lifted the silverware aloft from the royal box, triumphing on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

Marking the first anniversary of the famous victory, we've looked back on the key factors of the Blues’ success in front of a record crowd.

Resolute first-half rearguard action

In the first period, Pompey were put under a barrage of pressure and were barely able to make inroads into Sunderland’s half.

Pompey celebrate their Checkatrade Trophy triumph. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey celebrate their Checkatrade Trophy triumph. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey celebrate their Checkatrade Trophy triumph. Picture: Joe Pepler

And as the game wore on, a gaping hole between the Blues’ midfield and striker Omar Bogle resulted in salvo after salvo launched by the Black Cats.

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Yet the rearguard action from Kenny Jackett’s troops was dogged, full of resolve and steel.

Lee Brown and Ronan Curtis down the left were unable to foray forward as they'd have liked, instead forced to repel the advances of both Luke O’Nien and Lewis Morgan.

On the opposite wing, Jamal Lowe and Nathan Thompson had to double up on Sunderland talisman Aiden McGeady.

The introduction of Gareth Evans was key to Pompey's success over Sunderland. Picture: Joe PeplerThe introduction of Gareth Evans was key to Pompey's success over Sunderland. Picture: Joe Pepler
The introduction of Gareth Evans was key to Pompey's success over Sunderland. Picture: Joe Pepler

Despite the Wearsiders’ dominance, Craig MacGillivray was scarcely tested in Pompey's goal and was forced into just one decent save from Morgan’s long-range effort.

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Sunderland took a 1-0 lead into the interval, courtesy of a deflected McGeady free-kick on 38 minutes.

However, Pompey’s stoic defending gave them a platform to get back into the game.

Spot-on substitutions

The Fratton faithful were in fine voice at Wembley. Picture: Joe PeplerThe Fratton faithful were in fine voice at Wembley. Picture: Joe Pepler
The Fratton faithful were in fine voice at Wembley. Picture: Joe Pepler

During his time as boss, Kenny Jackett's substitutions have often come under scrutiny by sections of fans.

On the grand stage, however, the manager got his decisions spot on.

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Ronan Curtis' performance was subdued, although there were mitigating circumstances after he raced back from a freak front door injury that severed his finger.

The Irishman is someone whom Jackett feels has always got a goal or assist in him. But on this occasion he decided it wasn’t Curtis’ day and took him off in the 56th minute.

Gareth Evans was stripped off from the bench, already feeling aggrieved not to have started.

And the fans’ favourite conjured up the inspiration down the left-flank to put Pompey on the front foot, causing the Wearsiders all sorts of problems.

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It was Evans’ cross that served up Thompson's equaliser with eight minutes left, putting it on a plate for the right-back to nod home.

What also shouldn't be forgotten is the former Bradford man's crucial interception at the back post in extra-time to deny O'Nien a gilt-edged opportunity.

Oli Hawkins was next to be introduced, replacing a largely ineffective Bogle on 69 minutes.

Hawkins’ hold-up play was imperative to the Blues' League One victory over Sunderland three months earlier and again it reaped the rewards.

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Then both players held their nerve to step up in the penalty shootout. with Hawkins' spot-kick proving the decisive winner.

Fans’ influence

Attacking the Fratton faithful in the second period was always going to give Pompey a significant advantage.

The 40,000-plus who made the pilgrimage to the capital were in high spirits down Wembley Way in the build-up, revelling in a return for the first time since 2010.

And did seeing their side go into the break a goal down put a dampener on their spirits? Absolutely not. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

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As the game wore on, the decibel levels only increased as they rallied behind their side in search of an equaliser.

Lee Brown said after the game, it was the fans who inspired the Blues to hoist the silverware aloft.

‘When we were 1-0 down, going into those fans in the second half probably pulled us through – and credit to them,’ said the left-back.

‘They deserve credit as well because they gave us that sort of support and we can only say thank you.

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‘Without a shadow of doubt it was like they were sucking the ball into the net. I don’t think people realise how much of an impact that it has.’

Nerves of steel

It’s an in-game replay you could watch over and over again.

From Matt Clarke carrying the ball forward in typical Matt Clarke fashion to Lowe nonchalantly lifting the ball over keeper Jon McLaughlin, Pompey’s goal to go 2-1 up in extra-time was full of quality.

Although Sunderland hit back through McGeady’s late equaliser, you still always fancied Pompey when the final had to be decided on penalties.

Shooting into the sea of blue behind the goal was one advantage they held.

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And despite being hit by McGeady’s sucker-punch, the Blues had dominated Sunderland for the best part of 75 minutes after half-time and looked the fresher.

Ultimately, though, it came down to who held their nerve best – and it was Pompey.

There was to be just one miss in the shootout, with MacGillivray reading Lee Cattermole’s effort and saving to his left.

When Hawkins stepped up for the final spot-kick, it’d be fair to say not everyone inside Wembley was convinced the front man would stick it away.

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Despite changing the tide of the final, Hawkins is not a natural finisher and has been guilty of missing a fair few goalscoring chances during his time at Fratton Park.

How wrong those who doubted him were, though as he followed Evans, Brett Pitman, Brown and Lowe in etching themselves into Fratton folklore.

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