Arsenal loss kickstarted Pompey upturn – Mousinho

Boss John Mousinho says Portsmouth’s recent improvement can be attributed to the impressive performance in the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in early January.

Pompey are now six points clear of the Championship relegation zone after victory over promotion-chasing Millwall – their third victory in four matches.

“I know we lost to Arsenal (in the FA Cup), but we were excellent that day and we replicated those performances away,” Mousinho said.

“I think it comes from a reset after (the defeat to) Bristol City, and recognizing that we can do both sides of the game quite well when we put our minds to it.

“To come here and win against the third best team in the league – we’ve seen them time and time again be a very impressive team, home and away – is very pleasing.

“They have threats all over the pitch, so to do that after Tuesday (win against Charlton Athletic) was really pleasing. I thought we were excellent throughout.”