Story of the day as Portsmouth put four past Sunderland after Marcus Harness and Lee Brown goals plus John Marquis brace at Fratton Park

Sunderland’s eight-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end as they were beaten 4-0 in terrible conditions at Portsmouth
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First-half goals from Marcus Harness, Lee Brown and John Marquis gave the hosts a commanding lead, before Marquis added a fourth in the second half.

Sunderland now have two weeks until their next league game due to international fixtures but will face Lincoln in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday.

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Here’s how the game against Portsmouth played out at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth vs Sunderland blog.Portsmouth vs Sunderland blog.
Portsmouth vs Sunderland blog.

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RECAP: Portsmouth 4 (Harness, 18) (Brown, 33) (Marquis, 45, 61) Sunderland 0

Key Events

  • Sunderland XI: Hoffmann, Winchester, Flanagan, Wright, Cirkin, Evans (Neil, 74), O’Nien, Dajaku (Pritchard, 67), Embleton (Doyle, 45), O’Brien, Stewart
  • Subs: Burge, Taylor, Pritchard, Neil, Huggins, Alves, Doyle
  • Portsmouth XI: Bazunu, Romeo, Raggett, Williams, Freeman, Brown, Morrell, Tunnicliffe, Harness (Thompson, 74), Curtis, Marquis (Harrison, 84)
  • Subs: Bass, Harrison, Hackett, Hirst, Thompson, Jacobs, Downing

Thanks for joining us today

That’s it for today. An afternoon to forget for Sunderland.

We’ll have more reaction and analysis from today’s game on the SAFC section of the Echo website, as well as build-up to Tuesday’s game at Lincoln.

See you soon.

Full-Time: Portsmouth 4 Sunderland 0

87’ That sums up Sunderland’s day

Cirkin tries his luck with a low shot from the edge of the area but it slows down on the turf and rolls wide.

Standing ovation for Marquis as he makes way.

He hasn’t been on the pitch long but that was a challenge born of frustration from the youngster.

It’s been a hugely frustrating day for the Black Cats.

74’ Changes for both sides

72’ Pompey almost break for a fifth

Sunderland are trying to press higher up the pitch but are leaving gaps at the back.

From a free-kick, Marquis almost broke away before Hoffmann came off his line to clear.

Moments later, another breakaway saw Harness set up Tunnicliffe, who tried to chip the ball over Hoffmann who was able to gather it.