Wonder goal caps best team display for Pompey skipper

Michael Doyle hailed Pompey's super show at Accrington as one of the best performances he's featured in.

And the Blues skipper joked all bets were off for goal of the season as he celebrated his wonder strike at the Crown Ground.

Paul Cook’s side took their promotion rivals to the cleaners with three first-half goals in last night’s 3-1 success.

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It could have been more as the chances were racked up and Pompey toyed with their opponents.

The quality of the football was summed up by Doyle, who rated the passing quality on offer as high as any he’s been involved with in a long career at a high level.

Doyle said: ‘The first-half performance was one of the best I’ve been involved in during my career.

‘I thought we were absolutely excellent.

‘To turn up like that in a big game and play that way takes some character.

‘We’ve worked so hard on that all year.

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‘We passed the ball well to get the three goals, and that was so pleasing.

‘It was one of the best games I’ve ever been involved in for passing and movement.

‘You have to take into consideration how big a game it was for both teams.

‘They said it was one of the biggest games in their history.

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‘So to go out there in that environment showed a lot of character.’

Doyle chose the perfect time to open his goal account two minutes before the break to put Pompey 3-0 up.

It was a sensational volley from 25 yards which will go down as a highlight in the campaign for Doyle and his side.

The 34-year-old admitted it was the best effort he’s ever scored.

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Doyle said: ‘When I score goals they are normally from a good distance – but I’ve never scored a goal like that.

‘I think that must be goal of the season wrapped up now!

‘I’ve been a bit frustrated I haven’t scored. But that was one I caught sweet.

‘I’m over the moon with it and pleased it was part of an important performance and win.’

John Coleman caused a pre-match furore by naming Rommy Boco on the bench, despite a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between the clubs he wouldn’t after he made his move to Stanley.

Doyle felt Coleman could live to regret the decision.

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He said: ‘If they were going to play Rommy, fine. No problem.

‘It might have been a wee mental thing their manager tried.

‘There’s been agreements in the past which haven’t been broken.

‘It’s not my side of things but it could come back to haunt them in the long run.

‘Maybe we’re a bit disappointed with their manager, but it goes out of the window with the performance.’