Portsmouth secured a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Middlesbrough to end the visitors' unbeaten start to the Championship season and claim their own first league win in five games. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Yang Min-hyeok settled the contest midway through the first half, punishing hesitant defending with a half-volley that slipped through goalkeeper Sol Brynn's grasp.
While Rob Edwards' side enjoyed plenty of the ball and more shots overall, they struggled badly for accuracy in the final third and rarely extended Portsmouth goalkeeper Josef Bursik. A late surge brought half-chances for Sontje Hansen, Aidan Morris and Matt Targett, but a disciplined Portsmouth back line protected Yang's strike to ensure John Mousinho's team emerged with three important points.
Yang pounces after contrasting early flurries
Portsmouth came into the afternoon under pressure after four league matches without a victory, facing a Middlesbrough side that had started the weekend on top of the table and were yet to taste defeat. Coventry City's emphatic 5-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday had knocked the Teessiders down to second before kick-off, but a point in this game would have been enough to return them to the summit.