Brahim struck nine minutes from time with a magnificent solo effort to add to Lukas Nmecha’s opener to cap off an exciting game at Fratton Park.
Jason Wilcox’s side started on top and took a deserved lead in the 12th minute through Nmecha. Rodney Kongolo played in the 17-year old and he smashed the ball past Alex Bass to give City the lead.
It was nearly 2-0 shortly after as Javairo Dilrosun slid in a low cross across the face of goal, but Brahim couldn’t stretch far enough to get a clean contact and the ball drifted wide.
Pompey goalkeeper Alex Bass was called into action once again in the 27th minute as he, first, tipped Kongolo’s effort around the post before saving Jacob Davenport’s header almost on his line.
City’s number one Daniel Grimshaw was rarely tested in the first half but he had to be aware ten minutes from the break to prevent Jez Bedford’s shot hitting the back of the net.
As half time approached, the young Blues turned it up a gear and created two chances to add a second. The impressive Dilrosun sent in another teasing cross that was sent just over the crossbar by Nmecha before City’s goal scorer was inches away from converting another cross from the Dutch winger.
City came flying out of the blocks in the second half and could have had a second in the early stages. Nmecha’s deflected shot caused trouble for Bass before he claimed at the second attempt and Diaz fired just past the post after a clever piece of skill created room for the shot.
Nmecha, who has consistently causing problems for the home side’s defence, was brought down in the area by Bass in the 66th minute and the referee initiailly gave a penalty until he noticed the linesman had spotted an offside in the build-up.
The 17-year old then had the ball in the back of the net two minutes later, but the linesman’s flag was once again raised and the goal was ruled out.
Portsmouth levelled the scores with 20 minutes to play when substitute Harvey Bradbury, son of former City player Lee, slotted the ball into the bottom corner from Bedford’s low cross to set up an exciting finish.
City once again stepped it up a gear as the half came to a close and were rewarded with nine minutes to play. Brahim picked the ball up around 30 yards from goal and drove at the Portsmouth defence before cutting inside and placing the ball into the bottom corner.
The young Blues now face an away tie against Leeds United in the Fourth Round after they beat Brentford 3-2 at Griffin Park.
