The 3-3 stalemate at Hillsborough took many by surprise given the Owls’ transfer business during the summer and the 4-0 win they secured against the Blues on the final day of last season just three months ago.
But in truth, Pompey will have been disappointed with just a draw as Danny Cowley’s new-look battling side came within minutes of securing a huge victory on day one of the new term.
The Blues, nevertheless, put down an important marker for the challenge ahead and will no doubt have made others in League One sit up and take notice.
Cowley admitted before a ball was kicked in Yorkshire that he was happy to go into the season under the radar.
Well, that won’t happen now given the result at Hillsborough.
But what do the bookies’ think now about the race for promotion from the division and, in particular, the Blues’ chances of reaching the Championship?
Well, we checked in with SkyBet to see exactly just that with day one of the new campaign now out of the way.
Here's what he discovered.
17. Wycombe - 9/2
IN: D'Mani Mellor (Man Utd, free), Christie Ward (Brockenhurst, free), Jasper Pattenden (Worthing, undisc), Jack Young (Newcastle, undisc). OUT: David Stockdale (Sheff Wed, free), Anthony Stewart (Aberdeen, free), Adam Przybek (Walsall, free) Photo: Justin Setterfield
18. Pompey - 9/2
IN: Marlon Pack (Cardiff, free), Zak Swanson (Arsenal, undisc), Joe Rafferty (Preston, free), Josh Griffiths (West Brom, loan), Josh Oluwayemi (Tottenham, free), Joe Pigott (Ipswich, loan), Colby Bishop (Accrington, undisc), Dane Scarlett (Spurs, loan), Michael Morrison (Reaading, free). OUT: Aiden O'Brien (Shrewsbury, free), Marcus Harness (Ipswich, undisc). Shaun Williams (Gillingham, free), Paul Downing (unattached), Callum Johnson (Ross County, free), Ollie Webber (Glentoran), free). Photo: Malcolm Bryce
19. MK Dons - 7/2
IN: Matt Dennis (Norwich, undisc), Ethan Robson (Blackpool, free), Jack Tucker (Gillingham, compensation fee), Nathan Holland (West Ham, free), Conor Grant (Rochdale, undisc), Darragh Burns (St Patrick's Ath, undisc), Jamie Cumming (Chelsea, loan), Louie Barry (Aston Villa, loan), Dawson Devoy (Bohemians, undisc), Will Grigg (Sunderland, free), Bradley Johnson (Blackburn, free), Henry Lawrence (Chelsea, loan), Daniel Oyegoke (Brentford, loan). OUT: Harry Darling (Swansea, undisc), Scott Twine (Burnley, undisc), David Kasumu (Huddersfield, undisc), Hiram Boateng (Mansfield, free), Tobi Ogundega (Sutton, free), Brandon Mason (Crawley, free). Photo: Marc Atkins
20. Bolton - 10/3
IN: Jack Iredale (Cambridge, free), James Trafford (Man City, loan), Conor Bradley (Liverpool, loan), Eoin Toal (Derry City, undisc). OUT: Ronan Darcy (Swindon, undisc), Liam Gordon (Walsall, free). Photo: Gareth Copley