Carabao Cup: Portsmouth 3-0 Birmingham City – Ellis Harrison heads double on home debut
Ellis Harrison scored twice on his home debut as League One outfit Portsmouth eased past Championship side Birmingham in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
Blues – the 2011 League Cup winners – made nine changes and Pompey took full advantage.
Harrison’s first-half header defied Wes Harding’s efforts to clear off the line and Ben Close volleyed a fine second.
Another header after the break from Harrison – a summer signing from Ipswich – ensured Pompey’s progress.
The closest Blues came to a consolation was a long-range free-kick from Craig Gardner that brought an excellent save from Portsmouth keeper Craig MacGillivray.
Blues teenager Jude Bellingham became the club’s youngest ever player at 16 years and 38 days, breaking the record set by Trevor Francis in 1970.
Birmingham manager Pep Clotet confirmed to BBC Radio WM 95.6 after the game that Blues had accepted a bid from an unnamed club for striker Isaac Vassell.
Reports have linked Vassell – who was withdrawn from the squad for the visit to Fratton Park – with a move to Championship rivals Cardiff City.
