Portsmouth players celebratingImage source, Rex Features
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Portsmouth's previous two wins of the season came against QPR and Preston North End

Portsmouth moved off the bottom of the Championship with a comfortable victory over Bristol City at Fratton Park.

Pompey scored two goals in the first half against Swansea last week and started strongly again, with forward Colby Bishop scoring a rebound inside 20 minutes after his initial effort was saved by Bristol City keeper Max O'Leary.

Josh Murphy then doubled the lead just after the hour before Callum Lang headed in a third at the back post less than 10 minutes later.

Portsmouth's third win of the season moves them up a place to 23rd, above Hull City, while Bristol City remain in mid-table.

It was suggested in the build-up that Pompey needed two wins from their next four home games and their start, despite Storm Darragh, seemed to match those ambitions.

Portsmouth's high tempo press from the front caused problems as the visitors played out from the back, and in the 20th minute it paid off as Murphy stole the ball off Ryan Dickie and fed Bishop.

His initial shot was saved by O'Leary, but the rebound fell kindly for the 28-year-old to put the hosts ahead.

Even when the match started to settle, Bristol City still struggled to show their attacking best and follow up last week's 4-0 thrashing of Plymouth.

They were not helped by Pompey defender and Wales international Regan Poole who capped a brilliant performance with two strong challenges on Robins dangerman Anis Mehmeti just before half-time.

Liam Manning's side continued to struggle after the break, and Portsmouth's second goal could have come sooner had Lang, who won the ball off the lacklustre Dickie, not been denied by O'Leary.

The Liverpool academy graduate's persistence paid off as he won back possession again, this time from Robins captain Jason Knight, and supplied Bishop who unselfishly teed up Murphy to poke in Pompey's second.

Former Norwich winger Murphy then capped a sensational performance with his second goal involvement, making a darting run down the left before whipping in a fine delivery for Lang to nod in at the back post.

Portsmouth assistant manager Jon Harley:

"He's (Colby Bishop) made one and scored and is a constant threat. He's a player you would hate to play against, but if you have him on your team, it is like having a mountain.

"You are always backing him to score a goal or pop up with something. It has been huge to have him back as he was a big miss. Now he is back, it is important to capitalise on that.

"The last couple of years he has scored a hell of a lot of goals, he almost guarantees you goals. He has been really impactful for the team."

Bristol City manager Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:

"We were second best in most things which hasn't been like us. I'd be the first to defend the lads if I think we perform to a level, but we didn't hit that today in most areas.

"Irrespective of results, the lads had hit a consistent run of games, so like I said, it was really frustrating and disappointing.

"It's just a bit around decision-making, in really tough conditions against a team that want to press which makes it even harder."

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Liam Manning speaks to Alistair Durden after Bristol City's 3-0 defeat at Portsmouth.

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