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Gosport-born Matt Ritchie was in Portsmouth's academy as a youngster Matt Ritchie scored twice as Portsmouth came from behind to beat play-off chasing Middlesbrough and secure a crucial three points in their battle to avoid relegation from the Championship. The match at Fratton Park was delayed by 35 minutes to deal with a medical emergency involving a spectator in the crowd. Boro striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, the subject of interest from Major League Soccer side Atlanta United, put the visitors ahead. But Ritchie, 35, was the main man as he levelled nine minutes into the second half before grabbing a late winner for his first-ever Pompey goals at Fratton Park. The win moved John Mousinho's team up one place, to 22nd, but only outside the bottom three on goal difference, with a game in hand. It was a costly afternoon for Boro as they suffered a first defeat in seven games and slipped out of the top six. Almost as soon as referee Gavin Ward had blown his whistle to start the game it had to be stopped to treat a supporter, with kick-off delayed until 15: 35 GMT. When the game did get under way, Latte Lath immediately tested keeper Nicolas Schmid, who pushed behind the Ivory Coast striker's volley. Callum Lang headed straight at Boro keeper Tom Glover and Freddie Potts dragged a shot wide as Pompey threatened, before Latte Lath showed why he is a man in demand. Delano Burgzorg slipped him through and he rounded Schmid before rolling in his 11th goal of the season. But Pompey levelled when Potts played in Ritchie, who beat Glover. Roared on by the home crowd, they went looking for a winner. Josh Murphy shot wide with one chance for Pompey before Ritchie struck again, scoring with a right-footed effort which hit the far post on its way in. It sealed a third straight home victory and will give Mousinho's side real belief that they can secure a second season of Championship football. Although it was only a first league loss since 10 December, the feeling persists that Boro, who have played out several draws in that time, are having a winter wobble. Portsmouth manager John Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent: "I think it's one of our best wins of the season, with all the circumstances and the fact I think Middlesbrough are one of the best sides in the league. We've watched them tear sides apart. "Going 1-0 down and dealing with the hammer blow of Wednesday night [a 3-0 loss to Blackburn], to pick ourselves up and put in that level of performance was superb. "I thought it was a really good game of football and one that, on balance, we deserved to win. " Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees: "We let the game get away from us again. It's something we've let happen far too often recently. "Coming here, how they play and how they make the game feel, I thought we dealt with it first half and the start of the second half, we had chances to go 2-0 up which we didn't take and the game's always on a knife edge. "We spoke about concentration and how the game can flip in one moment, and their first goal had a massive effect on things. "So we're hurting about coming away with nothing after the position we put ourselves in. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 18th January 2025 at 17: 25 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: John Mousinho Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Michael Carrick Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: John Mousinho Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Michael Carrick Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Portsmouth have won just one of their last ten league games against Middlesbrough (D6 L3), a 2-1 victory at Fratton Park in September 2008 in the Premier League. Five of the last six league games between Middlesbrough and Portsmouth have finished in draws, with Boro winning the other 3-1 in March 2012 courtesy of goals from Barry Robson, Matthew Bates and Marvin Emnes. Portsmouth are unbeaten in their last five home league games (W4 D1), scoring three or more goals in their four wins during that spell; Pompey could score 4+ goals in three straight matches at Fratton Park for the first time since October 1979. Middlesbrough have drawn four of their last five league games (W1), as many stalemates as across their previous 24 Championship matches (W12 L8). No teenager has been directly involved in more Championship goals so far this season than Middlesbrough’s Ben Doak (2 goals, 6 assists); in fact, the Liverpool loanee also has the most assists across that same cohort in England’s top four tiers in 2024-25 (6). Match ends, Portsmouth 2, Middlesbrough 1. Second Half ends, Portsmouth 2, Middlesbrough 1. Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Zak Swanson. Foul by Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough). Freddie Potts (Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Attempt missed. Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Ben Doak. Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time. Tom Glover (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Josh Murphy (Portsmouth). Substitution, Middlesbrough. Marcus Forss replaces Finn Azaz. Substitution, Middlesbrough. Luke Ayling replaces Rav van den Berg. Offside, Middlesbrough. Emmanuel Latte Lath is caught offside. Lukas Engel (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Matt Ritchie (Portsmouth). Goal! Portsmouth 2, Middlesbrough 1. Matt Ritchie (Portsmouth) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum Lang. Substitution, Portsmouth. Zak Swanson replaces Jordan Williams. Substitution, Portsmouth. Ryley Towler replaces Rob Atkinson. Substitution, Middlesbrough. Alex Gilbert replaces Delano Burgzorg. Attempt saved. Matt Ritchie (Portsmouth) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Freddie Potts. Attempt saved. Dael Fry (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Finn Azaz. © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.