Portsmouth’s journey towards securing the League One title advanced with a 2-1 victory over Burton Albion, overcoming a late scare to claim maximum points. The lineup for the game raised eyebrows among some Fratton Park faithful before kickoff, as key players Callum Lang and Jack Sparkes were absent, prompting a reshuffle.
John Mousinho, pre-game, had indicated a “50/50” status for Lang and cleared Sparkes to feature, but neither made the matchday squad. As a result, Pompey adopted a back three with Abu Kamara and Paddy Lane as wing-backs. Notably, talisman Colby Bishop was relegated to the bench, and Kusini Yengi earned his first start in four League One games, making a significant impact with a match-winning brace.
Yengi’s inclusion proved to be a statement performance, showcasing his abilities after a period on the sidelines due to injury. Despite initially playing off the bench upon his return in October, last night’s game highlighted his goal-scoring prowess, with a well-taken penalty and a close-range finish securing the 2-1 victory. Mousinho acknowledged post-game that Yengi’s penalty epitomized his skills.
The decision to rest Bishop in favor of Yengi illustrated the manager’s strategy to utilize the depth of the squad. Yengi’s impressive performance emphasized his potential role in Portsmouth’s push to return to the Championship. Currently, Portsmouth leads the League One table by five points ahead of Derby County, with Bolton Wanderers in pursuit. However, challenges from Peterborough United and Barnsley, with games in hand, could narrow the gap.
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