Eddie Howe spoke glowingly about Pompey after they gave Premier League Bournemouth an FA Cup scare.
Howe said they gave the Cherries a challenge they had not faced even in the Premier League with their high-energy first- half showing.
He told The News: ‘Reflecting on the game, the first half was poor. Portsmouth played very well, they pressed us and outpassed us which we haven’t seen at Premier League level.
‘So there’s a lot to learn from the first half. But thankfully players showed great character to come from behind in the circumstances. I spoke numerous times to the players about what to expect and it was a tough game but one we’re pleased to win.’'
Pompey have won plenty of plaudits from the tie but will know that counts for nothing when they get back to the business of the League Two campaign - starting at Morecambe on Tuesday.
Boss Paul Cook told the club website: 'There was as a major focus on the game from the national media. So we wanted to make sure that by the time we finished, people were speaking well of us as a football team. And I’m sure the lads didn’t disappoint anybody that was inside the stadium to watch them.
'When we scored the roof nearly came off the place and the atmosphere was brilliant throughout. We played really well in the first half, although you know that a team of Bournemouth’s quality will always have a good spell.
'When you see the players they have available to come off the bench, you just shut your eyes and hope! It was a great day for Portsmouth Football Club and the stadium was rocking — the only disappointing thing was that we couldn’t get the win.
'We apologise to our supporters for that, but I think they’ve left the ground feeling proud of their team. It was a good game, but at the end we finished second best and we wish Bournemouth well in the next round.'
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