Undefeated for more than two years - Portsmouth's remarkable EFL Trophy love affair

And extending that remarkable record against Exeter tomorrow night will earn successive Wembley finals in the competition they have dominated under Kenny Jackett.

The last time the Blues lost in the EFL Trophy occurred in January 2018 – 770 days ago.

On that occasion, Charly Musonda’s stoppage-time free-kick earned Chelsea Under-21s a 2-1 success at Fratton Park.

The Belgium under-21 international netted twice in the encounter, ensuring his team reached the 2017-18 Checkatrade Trophy quarter-finals.

Since then, Pompey have been undefeated in all 14 of their matches.

That outstanding record consists of claiming the trophy at Wembley in March 2019, while they will now face Exeter in this year’s semi-finals.

Overall, that Chelsea under-21s outcome represents Jackett’s sole EFL Trophy defeat as Pompey boss, having overseen 19 matches.

Since his first Blues game in the competition, against Fulham Under-21s in August 2017, he has masterminded 16 wins.

That fixture finished 3-3, one of two draws, with the other occurring this season in the form of a 2-2 stalemate at Oxford United.

Of his victories, there have been notable triumphs over Arsenal Under-21s, Spurs Under-21s, Norwich Under-21s, Charlton, at promotion-bound Bury and, of course, Sunderland.

Although League Two Crawley have featured as beaten opposition in each of the last three seasons at the group stages.

Paul Cook was at the helm when the EFL Trophy was rebranded as the Checkatrade Trophy and underwent a format change, admitting under-21/23 sides.

He lost one of his three matches in charge – a 4-3 defeat at Yeovil in an August 2016 opening match.

It means Pompey have lost twice in 22 games since the competition was altered for the 2016-17 campaign.

Meanwhile, no side have retained the trophy in its 36-year history – a record Pompey have in their sights.

Firstly they must book a place at Wembley, with Exeter presently second in League Two, kept off top spot purely by goal difference.

When known as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, the Grecians beat Pompey at St James Park in September 2015.

Ryan Harley and Alex Nicholls scored in a 2-0 success over a youthful Blues side which contained Ben Close, Brandon Haunstrup and Adam May.