Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 3: big-match verdict - Blues finally display attacking identity required to be true promotion contenders

Given it was the Black Cats’ maiden defeat of the season – and they still sit sixth with a game in hand – you might be somewhat surprised how some Mackems reacted.

Tactically inept. No Plan B. Clueless. Those were the sort of criticisms fired at Parkinson.

Only a week prior, Kenny Jackett received similar reproval after the Blues’ uninspiring 1-0 reverse to Doncaster – and it was hardly for the first time while he’s been in the Fratton Park driving seat.

Concerns about creating goalscoring opportunities were rife, apathy among the Fratton faithful tangible and sections of supporters already started to write off the Blues’ promotion chances.

But in the past two games, it's even been difficult for the steadfast members of the #Jackettoutt mob to get riled up.

Jackett will always have his detractors, no matter the outcome of this season.

Following two meek play-off defeats in successive campaigns, there are those who've made their minds up when it comes to the Pompey boss – which they're entitled to –and are unlikely to be persuaded otherwise.

However, since that disjointed Doncaster reverse, the Blues have made a marked improvement.

That's not just bare results, either. The brand of football has become much more palatable and enjoyable on the eye.

Those who've previously bemoaned the value of entertainment on offer would have found it difficult to do so over the past 180 minutes.

A 2-0 win at Gillingham was a sound result. Steve Evans' side will again likely finish upper mid-table and pull off an upset or two along the way.

But there were still question marks whether the Blues could produce similar against an outfit who will realistically be in the top-six shake-up.

Sunderland was always going to be the ultimate acid test given their near-impermeable defence heading into the latest skirmish between the two third-tier heavyweights.

The Black Cats had conceded just one goal in six games – and even that was a third-minute penalty on the opening day of the campaign.

Yet the Blues delivered an emphatic answer to any doubters who’ve thought they don't possess the ingenuity to breach a promotion contender's rearguard.

Jackett's troops didn't just calve open Sunderland once but three times with all the necessary slickness and cutting edge.

There was more verve, vim and, perhaps most importantly, an attacking identity that's remedied their previously-concerning goalscoring problems from open play.

That's something Pompey have struggled to find in previous matches, particularly against Doncaster and Wigan when forays lacked guile and spark.

As quintessential away performances go, this was as close as you're going to get. It wreaked of how the Blues performed on the road in the 2018-19 season when no team accrued more points. Stoic in defence and dangerous on the counter – a perfect combination.

Pompey's switch to a 4-4-2 formation has proven to be the key to their turnaround in fortunes after a labouring opening to the campaign.

What's more, the system switch is finally getting best out of John Marquis.

It was less than two years ago when the striker was a January deadline-day target for Sunderland. The popular documentary Sunderland 'Til I Die later revealed they were quoted an astronomical £10m by Doncaster, which they were never going to pay.

However, owner Stuart Donald was willing to stump up a cool £1.5m. Still a handsome price, indeed, even for someone who’d proven his goalscoring prowess in League One.

Pompey initially paid less than that figure when Marquis was prised to the south coast from the Keepmoat seven months later.

Yet the price tag was still a healthy one and the transfer fee was the largest since the club were in the Championship.

However, in truth, Marquis failed to live up to his price tag in his maiden season at PO4. He bagged 14 goals in 48 appearances but struggled to convince as a lone striker or in the number-10 role in the 4-2-3-1 system.

Supporters have long clamoured for the former Millwall man to play up front with a partner and stressed it would get the best out of him.

Following a double and Sunderland and three goals in two games, that sentiment is proving accurate.

No longer do his priorities lie with being a focal point and holding the ball up to bring others into play.

That's still part of his remit, but with the mercurial Marcus Harness alongside him, Marquis can concentrate on his craft of getting into the box more frequently.

Harness continues to prove a revelation as a converted striker. Jackett's shrewdly spotted that his marksman-like eye for goal is better served up top rather than out wide where he's spent most of his career.

Now he has a licence to go about his game with swagger and swashbuckle rather than having to fret about tracking back when on the flank.

Jackett named an unchanged starting line-up from the victory at Gillingham in midweek.

The only difference to his squad was Jordy Hiwula, who penned a short-term deal on Thursday, replacing third-year scholar Alfie Stanley on the bench.

There was an eerie atmosphere around the Stadium of Light ahead of kick-off.

Given the magnitude of the meetings in recent seasons, there should have been a palpable ambience building as the old foes prepared for round nine in their arduous battle to escape the third tier.

Still, the match started at a frenetic pace and it was the Blues who landed the first blow with a swift combination.

From Callum Johnson's clever throw-in, Pompey’s move culminated in Harness tucking a left-footed finish beyond home-stopper Lee Burge on seven minutes.

The Black Cats shrugged off that body blow, though, to hit back with a response.

In the 10th minute, Pompey failed to deal with a long punt forward, which allowed Denver Hume to get to the byline and cut a ball back for Wyke to slot home from six yards.

That'd be as much damage as Sunderland could cause the away side, however. From thereon in, Pompey simply boxed too smart.

A combination of a mistake and intense pressing that yielded the Blues their advantage again. Harness cut out Grant Leadbitter's ball to feed in Marquis, who fired an accurate, low finish into the far corner.

Sunderland's best spell came after the interval when Parkinson had clearly ordered his troops to get on the front foot during his half-time team talk.

But Pompey's defence was impregnable. Hardly a meaningful effort came their way. Keeper Craig MacGillivray dominated his area while Jack Whatmough and Sean Raggett mopped up any danger.

And as Sunderland committed further for an equaliser, having four strikers on the pitch in the final 10 minutes, the Blues looked increasingly dangerous when it was their turn to break.

Marquis had a header denied for offside before he wrapped up the three points with five minutes left.

Williams surged into the box and when about to land the knockout blow, Luke O'Nien clipped his heels.

Referee Robert Lewis had no choice but to send off O'Nien for a second yellow card, while it gave Pompey a gilt-edged chance to put the game to bed from the penalty spot.

That Marquis did, sending Burge the wrong way and rolling his effort into the next for a maiden Blues brace.

Pompey Twitter was a much quieter and pleasant place at the final whistle. Those who've called for the manager's head would have found it a challenge to lambast either the result or quality of performance.

An improvement in the past week? Undoubtedly. A corner turned? Perhaps. Now the next challenge is delivering similar displays at Fratton Park.

Get that right and the Blues can consider themselves serious automatic promotion contenders.