Pompey arranged a derby date with Southampton by winning at Crawley Wasps to reach the quarter-finals of the National League Cup.
Charmaine True and Rosie McDonnell struck in each half to secure victory for the Blues in their final fixture of 2019.
They had chances to win by an even bigger margin, while the Sussex side scored a consolation penalty at the death.
Jay Sadler stuck with the same line-up that thrashed Leyton Orient to progress in the FA Cup a fortnight earlier.
And they made a fast start to the contest, with Becki Bath meeting McDonnell’s cross and forcing a save from Lauren Graves in the opening seconds.
So it came as no surprise when the deadlock was broken on eight minutes, as TRUE stole possession and slotted the ball home.
The visitors continued to push forward and a first-time effort from Tamsin de Bunsen curled narrowly past the post.
They probably should have doubled their advantage when Bath capitalised on some more sloppy play, but was unable to send the ball into an open net.
Hayley Bridge was next to try her luck and following a surging run into the box, her strike was saved by Graves.
It was proving to be a quiet afternoon between the sticks for Hannah Haughton, although Rebekah Tonks made some key blocks to frustrate the Wasps.
Half Time: Crawley 0 Pompey 1
The hosts set about trying to get back on level terms when the action restarted, but Haughton was not overly troubled by Charlotte Owen’s attempt from the edge of the area.
There was plenty of commitment on display from the Blues, summed up by one superb challenge from Eilidh Currie on Megan Stow.
Haughton then made her first serious save of the contest just past the hour mark to deny Maria Ledezma-Viso.
But Pompey immediately scored again to ensure a bit of breathing space – and it arrived in impressive fashion.
A free-flowing move led to Bath releasing McDONNELL down the left and the full-back was able to angle the ball into the net.
The same player might have added another goal moments later, but Graves just about got there first when Tonks’ free-kick was flicked on by Bath.
A delivery from Currie then narrowly evaded True as the striker tried to increase her personal tally by arriving at the back post.
Naomi Cole reduced the hosts’ deficit from the penalty spot deep into stoppage-time, but there was not enough time remaining for them to mount a comeback.
Pompey: Haughton; Tonks, Ingram, Currie, McDonnell; Bradley (c) (Adaway 81), Rowe, Bridge; True, de Bunsen (Younger 85), Bath
Subs not used: Burns, Clark