Pompey began football’s punishing schedule of festive fixtures with a four-point lead over second-placed Luton.
And they have extended that to five after coming out the other side with three victories and one defeat.
A Boxing Day reverse at Gillingham followed the pre-Christmas triumph over Sunderland, with wins against Fleetwood and AFC Wimbledon either side of the New Year celebrations.
It means there is plenty to look forward to in 2019, although Tom Naylor is not getting carried away just yet.
The midfielder said: “We’ve played a lot of games in a short space of time, but we all know what the Christmas period is like.
“You have to prepare your body and be mentally right to deal with it – and we took nine points from 12, which is a decent return.
“The position we’re in is good, although you can’t spend too much time looking at the table with so many games remaining.
"You have to prepare your body and be mentally right to deal with it – and we took nine points from 12, which is a decent return."
“It’s important to just keep on picking up points as we have been doing and then see where we are around April.”
Jamal Lowe and Ronan Curtis were on target in the latest of those wins – a 2-1 defeat of the Dons at Fratton Park on New Year’s Day.
Naylor said: “It was a lot easier in the first half than it was in the second, but they were always going to come out after the break with a point to prove.
“Wimbledon made it hard for us and wouldn’t really let us settle on the ball, although we’ve come away with the points in the end.
“Ronan missed a one-on-one, but made up for that by getting up at the back post to score the winner.
“The character in our side is unbelievable and when we do concede, we know there are players in our squad who can do the business.
“We weren’t at our best and I’m sure all the boys will hold their hands up, but this is a tough league and everyone knows that.”