Portsmouth controlled the first half
Tyrese Shade opened the scoring in the sixth minute after Stoke failed to clear a short corner. Portsmouth then kept the visitors away from goal and carried the greater attacking threat before the interval.
Stoke produced only one attempt in the first half. The team needed a quicker route through midfield and more support around the penalty area after the restart.
Two second-half moments changed the match
The Championship match was played on 7 November. McGlynn equalised in the 59th minute after goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid failed to hold Ben Johnson’s low cross and Luca Bombino returned the loose ball into the centre.
Wilmot scored the winner in the 77th minute. Schmid saved Ethan Galbraith’s long-range shot, but the rebound stayed in the goalmouth and Wilmot reached it first.
A strong start must now become a longer run
Twenty-nine points from 15 matches is Stoke’s best return at this stage since 2001/02, when the club later won promotion through the play-offs.
The comparison is encouraging but does not decide the current season. Stoke can take confidence from improving after a poor first half, while Portsmouth must examine why its control disappeared after the interval. The victory was Stoke’s fifth consecutive away win and moved the club to 29 points.