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

61’ Goal Portsmouth (Marquis)

Morrell’s ball over the top was met by the head of Marquis unmarkerd and the Pompey striker forced a low save from Hoffmann.

Marquis was then the quickest player to react and stabbed the ball home to make it four.

“Top of the league you’re having a laugh,” chant the home fans.

59’ Williams header saved

It’s been difficult for both sides to create much in the second half but Portsmouth are still creating the better chances.

Brown’s header is headed at Hoffmann by Marquis.

52’ Getting really bad now

The conditions are really starting to affect things now.

Dajaku went on a run down the left but the drenched pitch slowed the ball down.

Moments later, Cirkin tried to pass the ball backwards but the ball was slowed down by the surface.

Doyle replaces Embleton at the break.

Sunderland have switched to a back three to match their opponents up.

Half-Time: Portsmouth 3 Sunderland 0

45’ Goal Portsmouth (Marquis)

This is getting ugly.

Curtis’ in-swinging free-kick is turned in by Marquis, whose touch goes across goal and into the far corner.

3-0.

41’ Tunnicliffe booked

The Portsmouth midfielder is booked for a late challenge on O’Brien.

The conditions are still getting worse with the rain sweeping across the pitch.

There’s the second.

Sunderland were pulled apart again on the Black Cats’ right as Curtis’ low cross found Marquis who held off the Sunderland defenders and passed the ball back to Brown.

The Pompey wing-back made no mistake as hiw low shot beat Hoffmann.

2-0.

Phil Smith’s verdict so far