Pompey emerged from their long exile in the lower leagues, squinting as they adjusted to the bright lights of the Championship once more. For years, it seemed like they were sentenced to a life of misery, battling relegation in the Football League, suffering defeats to non-league FA Cup opponents, witnessing goalkeepers scoring against them, and facing players like Liam Sercombe.
This was a club that had once consistently finished in the Premier League’s top 10, lifted the FA Cup, made regular appearances at Wembley, competed in the Community Shield, and boasted several England internationals in their ranks. A buoyant crowd of 36,432 at Leeds, the second-largest league attendance involving Pompey since April 2010, when they played Everton in the Premier League, underscored the significance of this day, regardless of the result.
The travelling Pompey fans couldn’t realistically hope for a fairy-tale return. Even the most devoted football fans knew that an opening-day thrashing was a distinct possibility. They had been taunted by fans from Accrington, Morecambe, Fleetwood, and Forest Green, who chanted “You’re not famous anymore” during dismal losses.
Now, Elland Road was the stage for Pompey’s long-awaited return after a painful 12-year absence. For the visiting media, the lavish press room offerings of fried breakfast, chocolate bars, crisps, and unlimited fizzy drinks and Red Bull hinted at an impending defeat.
Bleak optimism wasn’t helped by the absence of Kusini Yengi due to a groin injury, which forced former Danish third-tier striker Elias Sorensen to make his debut after just eight days in England. In total, six key players were missing, including prolific scorer Colby Bishop, standout pre-season performer Josh Murphy, and half of the central defense.
Sure enough, just 10 minutes into the match, a dominant Leeds had already hit the bar three times and taken the lead through Pascal Struijk’s penalty. Pompey’s grand return seemed headed for disaster.
It was an uncomfortable watch for a club that had grown accustomed to dominating matches and securing victories under Paul Cook since his appointment in May 2015, albeit at League One and League Two levels.
However, in a ground where Richard Hughes had once scored his only Pompey goal in his 131st—and final—league appearance for the club, something improbable happened.
John Mousinho’s resilient team fought back to earn a 3-3 draw, twice taking the lead and managing just four shots on target. Their hopes of a victory were dashed by a 96th-minute equalizer from a Leeds substitute.
It was a thrilling match, a fantastic showcase for the Championship on Sky Sports, and an inspirational start to the season for a team full of character and determination.
In the 23rd minute, during only their second venture into Leeds’ penalty area, Sorensen latched onto a brilliantly disguised pass from the inspirational Marlon Pack, setting up a shooting opportunity.
