Portsmouth exited the FA Cup after a 4-1 loss to Arsenal, where defensive lapses on set-pieces and new injuries to Blair and Umeh overshadowed a brave performance.
Portsmouth’s hopes of an FA Cup upset were derailed by persistent set-piece frailties as they fell 4-1 to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Despite a dream start where Colby Bishop “stunned the Premier League leaders” with a third-minute opener, John Mousinho’s side conceded three goals from corners.
The Championship hosts were competitive in general play, but their inability to defend dead-ball situations proved “shocking for the Fratton Faithful to witness” throughout the contest.
The defeat was compounded by a growing injury list, with Harvey Blair and Franco Umeh both forced off with suspected hamstring issues.
Blair had initially been instrumental, providing the cross that led to Bishop’s goal.
However, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli capitalized on Pompey’s lack of focus, netting a hat-trick and turning a competitive match into a comfortable victory for the visitors, despite Noni Madueke missing a first-half penalty for the Gunners.
Mousinho’s men refused to surrender, pushing for late chances through Tom Devlin and John Swift.
Although they were “embarrassingly undone from a corner” for Arsenal’s fourth goal, the home supporters remained vocal until the end.
The Fratton Park crowd ultimately “carried their team home across the game’s finale,” offering the players a warm ovation at the final whistle in recognition of their spirited efforts against top-tier opposition.