MARQ WON! Pompey striker seals the points
JOE GALLEN thinks that Portsmouth are growing in confidence after watching an impressive performance secure three points.
The Pompey assistant boss looked on as the side made it four wins from five league matches.
Marcus Harness gave Portsmouth an early lead that was cancelled out by Charlie Wyke but John Marquis restored the visitors’ advantage.
Portsmouth made sure of the points with five minutes left when
Marquis converted a penalty after Luke
O’Nien brought down
Ryan Williams and was red- carded for a second caution. Gallen said: “It’s a long journey back but it will make it easier! “We played very,
IN HIS POMP
Marcus Harness opens the scoring for Portsmouth very well and our team played very well. It was a great performance, particularly in the first half.
“We took the lead and got back into the lead. The second half will be a bit tougher but, overall, the journey will be a bit quick.
“Away from home, we are scoring goals in the first half.
“Confidence is building and the formation change has helped us in terms of creating chances and scoring goals.”
“The break was swift for the first goal, with Marcus passing it into the net because he’s a great finisher in there. The formation has given us more potency and we’re building confidence.”
Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson has demanded improvement from his side.
Sunderland gifted the visitors the opening two goals by handing them possession in the build up to Harness and Marquis’ goals.
Parkinson said: “We didn’t start the game well enough, Portsmouth surprised in the way they played. They pressed us, were physical, and we gave the ball away too cheaply.”