REACTION: Hat-trick hero insists Posh have just issued a real statement of intent to the rest of League One

The huge win moved Posh to within a point of League One leaders and Darren Ferguson’s side have a game in hand on the Tigers.

Clarke-Harris bagged his second hat-trick of the campaign at the Weston Homes Stadium to make it 25 League One goals for the season. The man he replaced, Ivan Toney managed 24 Posh goals last season in a season that ended after 35 games - two fewer than Posh have played in 2020-21.

Clarke-Harris (26), a million pound summer signing from Bristol Rovers, has constantly praised his teammates for the service they provide and he was at it again after yesterday’s game.

“It is always nice to score goals,” Clarke-Harris said. “However, I think it should be Sammie Szmodics standing here taking all the praise because he was outstanding from start to finish. It was a really good team performance. We made a great start and we just kept it going and I am sure a few people will raise a few eyebrows when they see the results.

“It is hard not to have a little look how the others are doing and there will be teams looking at our result thinking ‘they’re strong’. We’ve made a real statement today to everybody in the league that we’ve got a great chance.

“It had been a tough week, but we had a chat and we knew that we were in a really good position in the league going into the final 10 games. We couldn’t lose sight of that.

“And it turned into a perfect day. We scored seven goals and kept a clean sheet. I also give a special mention to Mo Eisa. I was delighted for him to come on and get his goal.

“It is great to get to 25 goals in the league with nine games to play. It wasn’t about coming here and trying to eclipse Ivan Toney because he is an outstanding player and has ripped it up in the Championship. It was about me coming here and making a difference to the team and hopefully I have done that.

“For me it is great to be the one who is in the box to score the goals, but this is a team game and it is all about getting the three points.

“However, I am happy where I am at in terms of the goals I have scored so far and now we have to focus on ourselves and look after what we can affect. It was a good win, but we now turn our attentions on Fleetwood on Good Friday.”

Clarke-Harris is now three goals clear of Sunderland’s Charlie Wyke in the race for the League One golden boot.

Posh have moved to within a point of leaders Hull City and have a game in hand. Sunderland are two points further back, but have a game in hand on Posh.

Posh host Sunderland on Easter Monday in a game that will be televisied live by Sky (3pm kick off).