Goals from Chris Maguire and Joel Ward saw Portsmouth ease to a comfortable win over Hull which has re-ignited hopes of Championship survival.
Pompey were dominant from start to finish against a poor City team as blue shirts surged forward at every opportunity. Maguire mistimed a volley early on when he might have scored whilst Luke Varney almost got on the end of a cross from the former minutes later.
That set the tone of the match and Pompey soon took the lead after Hull keeper Vito Mannone came well off his line, giving Maguire the opportunity to chip the ball over him which he took beautifully.
Just a few minutes later and the lead was doubled after George Thorne squared the ball for Ward in the box who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
Nick Barmby's men offered little barring one excellent chance as Jamie Ashdown brilliantly got down to his right to parry Matty Fryatt's strike.
But that was as good as it got for the 300 or so visiting fans who saw Scott Allan's free kick sail over the bar and into the Milton End late in the half.
The second half could have seen more goals for Pompey as David Norris and Ward should have made more contact with the ball inside the box when they were teed up from the flanks.
Maguire as on fire as his curling effort was tipped around the post by Mannone. If substitute Kelvin Etuhu wasn't so selfish he could have set up another player to score, rather than attempt a shot himself which was blocked following his mazy run.
But it didn't matter as the lacklustre Tigers were put to the sword by a Pompey team who gave everything and attacked at will. Whilst that was enjoyable to watch I do wonder why they couldn't have performed like that at Coventry.
Still, this result gives the fans hope and the "great escape" may well be on again if Michael Appleton's men can repeat the feat against Burnley on Saturday.
Pompey Player Ratings
Jamie Ashdown: 6 - One excellent save in an otherwise quiet game.
Tal Ben-Haim: 7 - Looks much more comfortable at right back.
Greg Halford: 7 - Seems to be a better player at centre back.
Jason Pearce: 7 - Comfortable evening.
Karim Rekik: 7 - Selection in place of Rocha may have raised eyebrows but it was a solid debut for the youngster.
Joel Ward: 7 - Got one goal but should have had another.
George Thorne: 8 - Dominant midfield performance.
David Norris: 6 - Sound showing but might have had a goal to his name.
Scott Allan: 7 - Bright home performance as usual.
Luke Varney: 6 - A tad frustrating.
Chris Maguire: 9 - Worked so hard and took his goal extremely well.
Substitutes
Ricardo Rocha
Ashley Harris
Kelvin Etuhu (Allan 76): N/A - Might have scored after mazy run.
Luca Scapuzzi
Marko Futacs (Varney 88): N/A - No time.
Source: FOOTYMAD
