John Mousinho: Draw with Norwich just what Portsmouth needed after heavy defeat

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho was delighted with his side’s response to a painful setback as they fought back to grab a 1-1 draw at Norwich and boost their hopes of Championship survival.

Pompey were hammered 6-1 by QPR in their previous encounter but kept going to the end at Carrow Road and were rewarded with a late equaliser, with Pelle Mattsson netting at both ends as a scrappy encounter ended all square.

The Danish midfielder fired the hosts in front after 26 minutes as he latched on to a poor clearance and found the bottom corner with a fierce drive.

However, Norwich took their foot off the gas after that and were punished six minutes from time when Pompey equalised.

Andre Dozzell’s in-swinging free-kick into the box was nodded on by Colby Bishop and, with Regan Poole putting him under pressure, Mattsson inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net from close range.

“I am really pleased with both the point and the performance after what happened in our last match,” said Mousinho, whose side remain a point above the drop zone.

“It was just what we needed going into another big game on Monday (at home to fellow strugglers Oxford).

“The first half was a big cagey from our standpoint but we needed a reaction from two weeks ago when we were 3-0 down after 20 minutes.

“We weren’t exactly peppering their goal but we managed the game well and got into some decent positions, and in the second half I thought we pinned them back for long stages.

“We kept going and in the end we got our goal – and I think on the overall balance of play we deserved a point.

“I know Norwich started the season badly but they are one of the best sides in the league, certainly top four based on their form. To come here and get a positive result shows we can mix it with the best when we apply ourselves properly.”

Norwich head coach Philippe Clement felt his side deserved more reward from the match.

“I think it was a game we should have won, ” he said.

“We had a few good moments in the first half and there were other times when we got ourselves into good positions and the final pass went astray.

“They had just one shot on target and I don’t remember us conceding many chances.

“I don’t think there was any doubt we were the better side on the ball but in games like this you really need a second goal, because if you don’t get a second something like this can happen.

“They score late in the game and it doesn’t give us much time to react.

“We were missing some of our international players from the starting line-up and I am not happy with some of the managers who didn’t stick to their plans about how long they should play. But it is what it is and we have to get on with it.”