John Mousinho’s had lost eight consecutive matches on the road, yet Andre Dozzell and substitute Mark O’Mahony secured a 2-0 triumph to boost survival hopes.
In a poor game lacking quality for much of it, the Blues dug in defensively and took advantage of rare scoring chances which came their way, although there was a concerning injury to Callum Lang.
Regardless, Pompey have put themselves further away from the relegation zone – and here are our player ratings...
9. Callum Lang - 9 - MOM
(Replaced by Terry Devlin on 80 mins) Asked to play on the right and was simply unplayable as he destroyed Oxford. They had no answer to his energy, while the drive on the counter-attack is something the Blues never had with Matt Ritchie. Photo: Steve Bailey
10. Adrian Segecic - 8
(Replaced by Thomas Waddingham on 90 mins) What a stunning debut. Following an eye-catching pre-season, was rewarded with his Pompey competitive debut and what a performance. Featuring as the number 10, his energy and work-rate was phenomenal. Capped off with the opener, having followed up after Bishop’s one-on-one was saved. Photo: Simon Roe
11. Colby Bishop - 7
Mousinho’s great bluff was that Bishop was fit after all, while also captaining the side. Should have done better with the one-on-one which Segecic followed up to score from the rebound, but led the line superbly. Photo: Paul Phelan
12. Adrian SegeÄciÄa of Portsmouth scores their first goal during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Oxford United and Portsmouth at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford, England on 9 August 2025.
Adrian Segecic opens the scoring against Oxford United. Picture: Alun Roberts/ProSportsImages Photo: Alun Roberts