Blues ease to Premier League win
Jamal Lowe hit a hat-trick as Pompey romped to a 4-0 victory over Norwich at Westleigh Park in the Premier League Cup.
Nicke Kabamba was also on target in his first appearance in a Blues shirt, as a strong side recorded their first win of the group stages.
The hosts attacked straight from kick-off and when Kabamba met Brandon Haunstrup’s cross, his header flew narrowly past the post.
And the striker was in action again moments later, although this time his ambitious overhead attempt was comfortably saved by Jake Hallett in the Canaries goal.
But KABAMBA did finally open the scoring with 14 minutes on the clock when he diverted Jez Bedford’s effort into the net.
The January arrival could not keep out of the action and his header from a Ben Close free-kick was saved at the second attempt.
Kabamba then struck the post before Liam O’Brien made a sharp stop to deny Jem Karacan at the other end of the pitch.
And Pompey’s keeper was soon forced to make another decent save to turn a volley from Ebou Adams behind for a corner.
The other recent signing from Hampton & Richmond then took control, with LOWE playing a neat one-two with Bedford and rounding Hallett before depositing the ball into the net.
With that goal still fresh in the memory, LOWE raced away and finished with aplomb to give the Blues a commanding lead.
It might have got even better before the break, but a ferocious 25-yard effort from skipper Close was superbly palmed over by Hallett.
Half Time: Pompey 3 Norwich 0
There was a more low-key start to the second half, as Norwich went in search of a route back into the game.
They enjoyed more of the ball and some territorial advantage in the early stages, without creating any chances of note.
Lowe almost scored again on the hour mark after being played through by Kabamba, only for his effort to be saved by the legs of Hallett.
But LOWE did deservedly complete his treble on 76 minutes, nipping in to slot home after Norwich had been too slow to deal with a corner.
All that was left was for O’Brien to make an excellent stop low to his right late on and preserve Pompey’s clean sheet.
Pompey: O’Brien; Talbot, Whatmough, T.Davies, Haunstrup; Close (c), Linganzi; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lowe (C.Davies 77), Bedford (Chaplin 60); Kabamba (Bradbury 77)
Subs not used: Bass, Scutt
Norwich: Hallett; Efete, Godfrey, Crowe, Ramsay; Adams, Karacan (Fleming 75), Grant (c); Jaiyesimi, Lewis (Aransibia 73), Cantwell
Subs not used: Oxborough, Kamal, Payne
Referee: Sam Allison
Attendance: 281