It would have been a fantastic performance from the home team even with all 11 players on the pitch.
But given that they had to play for more than an hour with just 10 men, Danny Cowley was even more impressed by a 4-0 thrashing of Accrington at Fratton Park.
George Hirst had already given Pompey the lead before Marcus Harness’ challenge on Ross Sykes earned him a straight red card.
It mattered not, though, as Sean Raggett doubled the lead before second half strikes from Hirst and Ryan Tunnicliffe wrapped things up.
Two of those goals arrived from corners and Cowley was delighted with the overall display from his side.
The Blues boss said: “It was nice to get the early opener and then the sending off happened, but the team was incredible and there were so many good performances.
“George and Ryan were excellent and we knew that if we defended well, which we did, those attacking moments would happen.
“Aiden O’Brien also showed great energy and enthusiasm – he’s such an infectious personality for us. He’s certainly made a real connection.
"It was nice to get the early opener and then the sending off happened, but the team was incredible and there were so many good performances."
“We’re pleased with our set-pieces because we’ve worked really hard on them and haven’t always got the rewards for that.
“Accrington are a really big team, but we noticed a couple of things when they mark a ‘stack’ as we call it.
“There were spaces created around the back and it’s easy to notice these things, although much harder for the players to implement it.
“It was a case of two excellent deliveries and then two really good headers to put the ball in the back of the net.”
Harness is now set to miss the League One visits to Crewe, Ipswich and Plymouth following his dismissal.
Cowley said: “I’ve watched it back and there was a huge foul immediately before that, so the moment shouldn’t have been allowed to happen.
“I don’t know how the referee couldn’t see it, although then Marcus has reacted in a way that he’ll be disappointed with.
“But he’s been brilliant for us this season and there have been games that he’s helped us win, so good team-mates needed to bail him out of a difficult moment.”