The Portsmouth dressing-room verdict on how they ended Sunderland's unbeaten League One record

John Marquis said counter-attacking prowess, and faith in a new system, was the key to Portsmouth’s success at the Stadium of Light.
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Marquis scored a brace as Kenny Jackett’s side sealed a deserved 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon.

The 28-year-old was joined on the scoresheet by Marcus Harness, who thrived in the second-striker role. After an indifferent start to the season, a switch to 4-4-2 is reaping rewards for Portsmouth.

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Their win took them back into the play-off positions and above Sunderland, though the Black Cats have played a game less.

John Marquis scores his second goal from the penalty spotJohn Marquis scores his second goal from the penalty spot
John Marquis scores his second goal from the penalty spot

Marquis said the Portsmouth gameplan was to capitalise on the counter-attck, which worked well for all three goals.

“It was a very good team performance, we had a gameplan and we stuck to it,” Marquis said.

“We didn’t want to come here and change the shape we’ve been playing lately and try to match them up as other teams have done when here this season.

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“We have stuck to what we know we can do - and executed the gameplan perfectly.

“I’d say it was our best performance of the season.

“Today in the second half we were very disciplined, didn’t get pulled out of our shape and on Tuesday night [against Gillingham] we started very well and did the same,” he added.

“To come to get to a place like Sunderland to get three points makes the drive home much sweeter.

“We knew we could counter-attack on them, they are very expansive, they are very open at times when they lose the ball, so we’ve been working on counter-attacking quickly and getting our shots.”

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Assistant manager Joe Gallen echoed the assessment of his striker, saying that the formation change has allowed his team to become a greater threat.

It has proved particularly effective away from home, where Portsmouth have a considerably better record.

‘We played very, very well today,” Gallen said.

"It was a great performance, particularly in the first half.

“We took the lead and got back into the lead after conceding. The second half will be a bit tougher but, overall, the journey will be a bit quick.

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“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.

“We've been a bigger threat and the goals have come off the back of that/.

“The break was swift for the first goal, with Marcus passing it into the net because he's a great finisher in there.

“The midfield role is off the ball, on the ball, it is both sides to the game. I think they got both sides of the game, did very well today. Not only were they able to receive the ball today, some half turns especially from the wide players of the midfield four, were able to receive the ball on the half turn and play it off the front players and interchange and play some decent passes.

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"There was some good football. Then having Marcus Harness who is very good at knitting things together and John as goalscorer, it just looks like the balance is there.”

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