Match ends, Portsmouth 3, Barnsley 2.
Portsmouth came from behind to beat Barnsley 3-2 and seal promotion to the Championship thanks to late goal from defender Conor Shaughnessy.
John Mousinho's side were trailing until the 83rd minute when Colby Bishop levelled with a penalty before Shaughnessy scored the goal that crowned Pompey champions of League One six minutes later.
It means they return to the Championship for the first time since 2012.
John McAtee had silenced the Fratton Park crowd, calmly slotting the ball into the net shortly before the hour mark, before the late turnaround which led to the home fans streaming onto the pitch at the final whistle.
Before the game, the Blues knew that a point would be enough to secure promotion and all three would bring them the League One title.
Tykes forward Devante Cole poked home from close range for his eighteenth league goal of the season to give the visitors a sixth-minute lead.
But Portsmouth responded just three minutes later, the ball breaking to Kusini Yengi who thumped home from 10 yards out.
Abu Kamara's good work down the right wing played a big part in the goal, with his pace causing problems for the Barnsley defence early on.
Yengi's emphatic strike was his eighth league goal of the season and put Mousinho's side back on track.
Pompey goalkeeper Will Norris came to his side's aid just after the 30 minute mark, denying McAtee who raced through on goal and after the break the visitors continued to look dangerous.
They made Portsmouth pay on 59 minutes when McAtee received the ball on the edge of the Portsmouth box before finishing well to give the Tykes the lead.
But Portsmouth were far from done as substitute Christian Saydee drove into the Barnsley box and was taken down to earn a penalty for his side.
Bishop struck the ball into the back of the net and Shaughnessy's late heroics sent the home fans into wild celebrations.
Pompey end 12-year absence from second tier
Pompey's promotion to the Championship ends a 12-year absence from English football's second tier.
It caps a long way back to where they started having suffered successive relegations to League Two in the midst of financial troubles soon afterwards.
Eventually, stability followed, with former Disney CEO Michael Eisner purchasing the club in 2017 with a long-term plan to lift the club out of the English Football League (EFL) and return them to the Premier League.
Eisner's arrival at Pompey came after Paul Cook had led the club to the League Two title, but their stay in League One has lasted seven seasons.
In stepped John Mousinho, who took over in his first head coach job - having previously being involved as a player and coach at Oxford United - has efficiently guided the club back to the second tier in style.
After victory against Shrewsbury, a win at fellow automatic promotion chasers Bolton was the first opportunity for Portsmouth to seal their return to the Championship.
An exceptional season has seen Mousinho's side promoted with an eight-point gap between them and second place confirming the promotion and the title.
Their forwards have been in fine form this campaign with Colby Bishop and Abu Kamara contributing at least 20 goals each across all competitions, while winger Paddy Lane has contributed towards 18 goals.
The Blues have topped the League One table throughout 2024 and will look to continue their momentum to return to the top flight after 14 years away.
Listen to a Portsmouth promotion special on BBC Radio Solent from 18:00 BST to 19:00 BST on Wednesday, 17 May, or listen again on BBC Sounds.
Line-ups
Portsmouth
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Norris
- 2SwansonSubstituted forRaffertyat 31'minutes
- 18Shaughnessy
- 20Raggett
- 6Ogilvie
- 7Pack
- 45EvansBooked at 74minsSubstituted forSaydeeat 79'minutes
- 25Kamara
- 28AnjorinSubstituted forLangat 45'minutes
- 11WhyteSubstituted forLaneat 61'minutes
- 19YengiSubstituted forBishopat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Bishop
- 13Macey
- 15Saydee
- 17Rafferty
- 23Moxon
- 32Lane
- 49Lang
Barnsley
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Roberts
- 2Williams
- 6de GevigneyBooked at 75mins
- 43Earl
- 17CotterSubstituted forO'Keeffeat 75'minutes
- 8Kane
- 11GrantSubstituted forMcCartat 87'minutes
- 7Cadden
- 30Phillips
- 44Cole
- 45McAteeSubstituted forSoares Jalóat 87'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Cosgrove
- 12Soares Jaló
- 19Marsh
- 22O'Keeffe
- 23Killip
- 26McCart
- 38Chapman
- Referee:
- Paul Howard
- Attendance:
- 19,960
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away5
- Corners
- Home3
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Portsmouth 3, Barnsley 2.
Post update
Foul by Maël de Gevigney (Barnsley).
Post update
Joe Rafferty (Portsmouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Devante Cole (Barnsley) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Nicky Cadden with a cross.
Post update
Fábio Jaló (Barnsley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Abu Kamara (Portsmouth).
Post update
Foul by Callum Lang (Portsmouth).
Post update
Herbie Kane (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Connor Ogilvie (Portsmouth).
Post update
Fábio Jaló (Barnsley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match (Portsmouth).
Goal!
Goal! Portsmouth 3, Barnsley 2. Conor Shaughnessy (Portsmouth) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marlon Pack with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Portsmouth. Conceded by Maël de Gevigney.
Substitution
Substitution, Barnsley. Jamie McCart replaces Conor Grant.
Substitution
Substitution, Barnsley. Fábio Jaló replaces John McAtee.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Will Norris (Portsmouth).
Post update
Goal! Portsmouth 2, Barnsley 2. Colby Bishop (Portsmouth) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Comments
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Proper football club with proper fans. Looking forward to seeing twice next season.
Have you missed us? 🦁
(from a Baggies fan)
I hope we can "do YOU a MASSIVE FAVOUR" soon hey.
(say no more, nudge nudge, wink wink).
Good luck next season.
You've been the most consistent team over the season.
Bring a couple of players in and maybe you can do an 'Ipswich'
Hopefully see you next season.