Portsmouth boss John Mousinho said he would allow himself a celebratory beer after a 1-0 win at home to 10-man Watford secured their Championship status.
Colby Bishop scored his 11th goal of the season to guarantee survival in the second tier with two games to spare.
Mousinho said: “I will definitely have a beer tonight, 100 per cent. I think it’s a brilliant achievement.
“I don’t want to downplay how big an achievement it is, but it’s just the next sort of building block in terms of where we need to go as a football club to make sure we’ve established ourselves.
“When we spoke this time last year about the ambitions for this season, I was consistent in saying the most important thing is when we’re speaking this time next year, that we’re still a Championship football club.
“Now we can go again and just try and improve on where we’ve been this year. I think if you look back at that from a year ago, it’s a really impressive feat.”
Pompey took the lead in the 25th minute when Egil Selvik could only parry Josh Murphy’s cross on to Bishop’s head.
Watford goalkeeper Selvik saved Bishop’s initial effort but Pompey’s star striker reacted quickest to head the loose ball home from point-blank range.
The Hornets slowly worked their way into the contest and Imran Louza’s 30-yard effort was kept out by the crossbar.
Bishop should have doubled his and the hosts’ tally when Freddie Potts put a wonderful cross straight onto his head only to be denied by another smart stop from the busy Selvik.
Watford’s hopes of a comeback looked over when they were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute as Kevin Keben was dismissed for taking out Murphy with a professional foul.
Bishop passed up another decent chance when he miscued a header but the hosts held firm.
Watford manager Tom Cleverley said: “I don’t think there’s enough consequences at this club for not doing your job at times. Our fanbase are very respectful. Our media is very local.
“I’ve played for clubs where that is not the case, and as a player you feel like you have to perform and we have to win, or else there will be consequences for the next six days of my life. Whether that is walking down the street or picking up a newspaper.
“I felt that made me better, because I knew there were consequences for my all-round life for not doing my job on a Saturday.
“We have to work like every day is Saturday and win at all costs, and it’s life or death.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
