Cardiff hit five past Blues
Pompey suffered a 5-0 defeat at Cardiff in Jay Sadler’s first game since being appointed manager on a permanent basis.
Hope Suominen’s hat-trick and a brace from Kerry Bartlett saw the title hopefuls ease to a convincing victory in Wales.
The Blues responded well to falling behind in the first minute, with Gemma Hillier firing narrowly wide before Katie James saw a shot saved.
But Cardiff scored three more before the break and it took a superb double stop from Courtney Trodd to limit the damage.
Pompey improved at the back in the second half and only conceded when Suominen completed her treble with a neat lob.
And they came close to reducing their deficit, as Lauren Peck flashed a shot inches past the post before Hillier’s effort was saved.
It was the hosts who finished stronger, however, first hitting the post and then seeing a penalty saved by Trodd.
Pompey: Trodd, Bazan, Tonks, Currie, Kirby (Peck 72), Bloomfield (Iusan 64), Sievwright, Carleton, James (Stephens 71), Hillier, Quayle
Subs not used: Burns