John Mousinho did not reach for the champagne flute after Portsmouth edged Millwall 2-1 in the Championship. He reached for the honesty card instead.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent in the aftermath, the Portsmouth head coach acknowledged that the three points flattered his side, describing it as the first win they had not deserved during his tenure. That kind of candour from a manager after a victory is rare, and it signals something significant: Mousinho holds his team to standards that sit above the scoreline.

A victory, but questions remain

Portsmouth secured the result, but Mousinho's reaction suggests the performance will be dissected just as critically as a defeat might be. The win adds points to Pompey's Championship tally at a stage of the season when every point carries weight, yet the manner of it leaves the head coach with material for the training ground.

Millwall will feel hard done by. The Lions travelled to Fratton Park and, on the evidence of Mousinho's own assessment, gave as good as they got across stretches of the match. Gary Neil's side have endured a difficult run of results in recent weeks, and conceding a game they arguably shaded will sting.

What the result means for Portsmouth

Three points are three points, and Portsmouth bank them regardless of how the performance looked. The victory keeps momentum ticking over for a Pompey side that has shown a capacity to grind out results even when the football does not flow.

Mousinho's willingness to call out a below-par display even in victory reflects a manager who refuses to let standards slip. That culture tends to matter across a long Championship season, where consistency separates the sides that push for the top six from those who drift into mid-table.

Millwall, meanwhile, carry the damage of another narrow defeat. Neil has spoken publicly in recent weeks about the need for a sharper response from his players, and a loss in which Portsmouth's own manager concedes his side were fortunate will add to that frustration.

Millwall left to rue another close call

The Lions have shown enough in patches this season to suggest they are capable of better. A game they came close to taking something from, only to leave with nothing, is the kind of result that can define or derail a campaign depending on what comes next.

Both clubs return to Championship action in the coming days with plenty still to play for. Portsmouth will hope the performance levels catch up with the points tally. Millwall need a response, and quickly.

Frequently asked

What was the score between Portsmouth and Millwall?
Portsmouth beat Millwall 2-1 in the Championship.
What did John Mousinho say after the Portsmouth vs Millwall match?
Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent it was the first win he felt Portsmouth had not deserved, acknowledging his side were fortunate to take all three points.
How does the Portsmouth win over Millwall affect the Championship table?
The three points add to Portsmouth's Championship tally and keep their season moving forward, though Mousinho's post-match comments suggest the performance needs improvement despite the positive result.