Portsmouth's fourth-successive season in EFL League One in the 2020-21 season began on 12 September 2020, with a home fixture played at Fratton Park against Shrewsbury Town which ended 0-0 and was played behind closed doors. Fratton Park's last remaining floodlight tower in the south-east corner was finally removed on Friday 20 November 2020. COVID-19 'social-distancing' restrictions were partially relaxed in December 2020 when 2,000 Portsmouth fans were permitted to return to Fratton Park on 5 December 2000 for the EFL League One game against Peterborough United, a 2-0 win for the home side. Portsmouth reached top place in EFL League One on Friday 18 December 2020, after a 0-2 away win at Hull City. however, Portsmouth dropped to mid-table by March 2021 after a poor run of form. Due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the much-delayed 2019-20 EFL Trophy Final was finally played behind closed doors at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 13 March 2021 (the day before the 2021-21 Final) with Portsmouth losing 4-2 on penalties to Salford City after ending 0-0 after extra time. It was to be Kenny Jackett's last game as Portsmouth manager, as the club announced his departure on Sunday 14 March 2021. Portsmouth's assistant-manager, Joe Gallen was then placed in charge of the first team for the next game against Peterborough which ended in a 1-0 defeat. On Friday 19 March 2020, Danny Cowley was appointed First Team Head Coach (manager) until the end of the season. Cowley's first game in charge on Saturday 20 March 2021 was a 2-1 win over Ipswich Town at Fratton Park.