Leeds United's unbeaten run ends with defeat at Portsmouth
Portsmouth 1 - 0 Leeds United
Leeds United's 17-game unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end as Colby Bishop's second-half strike secured a narrow victory for Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Bishop netted his sixth goal of the season with a delicate finish over Illan Meslier just after the hour mark, delivering a significant boost to Pompey's fight for survival.
Leeds, who remain top of the table on goal difference ahead of Sheffield United, were left to rue a series of missed opportunities. Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid produced a string of outstanding saves, including a brilliant stop deep into stoppage time to deny Sam Byram’s powerful header.
The result leaves John Mousinho’s side 17th in the table but with a 10-point cushion above the relegation zone, while Leeds will be frustrated at their failure to capitalise on their dominance.
A closer look at what happened
Both managers made a single change from their previous league outings. Leeds brought in Ilia Gruev for Joe Rothwell, while Portsmouth handed a start to Freddie Potts in place of Isaac Hayden.
The early exchanges were scrappy, with neither side able to seize control. Leeds had a penalty appeal waved away inside 10 minutes when Matt Ritchie clattered into Dan James as he attempted to clear the ball, but referee Robert Jones showed no interest.
Portsmouth showed flashes of promise going forward but struggled to fashion any clear chances. It was Leeds who carved out the first meaningful opening five minutes before the break. Schmid was forced into a superb double save, first parrying away Manor Solomon’s low drive before smothering Joel Piroe’s follow-up from close range.
What else has been happening at Portsmouth this season
Leeds began the second half with real intent and should have taken the lead when James raced down the right flank and squared the ball to Solomon, who found himself one-on-one with Schmid. However, the Pompey keeper did well to force him wide and when Solomon cut the ball back to Piroe, the striker could only blaze his effort over the bar.
That miss proved costly just after the hour mark. Connor Ogilvie’s lofted pass over the top split the Leeds defence and Bishop reacted quickest, latching onto the ball before delicately lifting it over the onrushing Meslier and off the far post. The Fratton Park crowd erupted as Bishop flexed his muscles in celebration.
A dent in Leeds promotion hopes youtu.be/zc3YOfPKVNU?...
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Leeds responded with urgency and looked destined to equalise when Junior Firpo broke through on goal, but Schmid again came to Portsmouth’s rescue with an outstanding point-blank save. Moments later, Firpo came even closer, sending a header crashing against the crossbar with the visitors now throwing everything forward.
In the dying moments, Byram thought he had salvaged a point with a thunderous header from a corner, but Schmid produced his finest save of the evening, acrobatically tipping the ball over to spark wild celebrations from the home support.
The defeat, Leeds’ first in 18 matches, keeps them at the Championship summit on goal difference, but it will feel like a missed opportunity for Daniel Farke’s side. For Portsmouth, it was a hard-fought and morale-boosting victory in their bid to stave off relegation.
