“James Bree fires Southampton into the lead, finishing off a Finn Azaz assist after Portsmouth had already tested the goalkeeper twice through Jayden Meghoma.”
Pivotal“Keven Schlotterbeck is booked for a late foul as Portsmouth push desperately for a leveller that never materialises, underlining the physical, fractious nature of the closing stages.”
Southampton
Portsmouth
Outstanding performance
Southampton•DefenderSouthampton struck early and defended their lead with a disciplined, efficient performance, with James Bree converting from a Finn Azaz assist in the 20th minute after Portsmouth had already threatened through Jayden Meghoma. Portsmouth dominated territorially, racking up 61 dangerous attacks and 15 shots to Southampton's 7, but wasted their best chances and never found the finishing touch to match their control of the ball. The game turned further in Southampton's favour just before the break when Cameron Bragg was shown a second yellow and sent off, leaving Portsmouth to chase the game with ten men for nearly 50 minutes. Despite the extra man and sustained pressure, Southampton's back line and goalkeeper held firm, with the home side's clinical edge in front of goal proving the difference in a tense, foul-littered derby that produced seven bookings.
How entertaining was this match?
Marko Milovanovic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Keven Schlotterbeck takes a shot with his head but misses.
Odin Bailey takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Abu Kamara takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Keven SchlotterbeckYellow CardKeven Schlotterbeck receives a yellow card.
Keshi Anderson comes on for Zak Swanson.
Offside.
Abu Kamara takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Caspar Jander is on, and Cyle Larin is off.
Finn Azaz takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Terry DevlinYellow CardYellow card shown to Terry Devlin.
Zak Swanson takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Tyrese Shade takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Marko Milovanovic comes on for Colby Bishop.
Terry Devlin comes on for Jayden Meghoma.
On Odin Bailey, off James Bree.
Abu Kamara takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
James Bree takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Kuryu Matsuki is substituted for Leo Scienza.
Adrian Segecic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Adrian Segecic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Jayden Meghoma takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jayden MeghomaYellow CardJayden Meghoma receives a yellow card.
Finn Azaz Yellow CardYellow card shown to Finn Azaz.
Cyle LarinYellow CardCyle Larin receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Keven Schlotterbeck's header is blocked.
Leo Scienza takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Adrian Segecic is on, and Ryan Kavuma McQueen is off.
Ryan Kavuma McQueen takes a left-footed shot but misses.
First half ends with a score of 1-0.
Colby Bishop's header is saved.
Cameron Bragg receives a second yellow card.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Yellow Card - James Bree.
Cameron BraggYellow CardCameron Bragg receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
James BreeJames Bree takes a left-footed shot and scores.
assist: Finn Azaz
Goal! James Bree scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Finn Azaz.
Jayden Meghoma takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Jayden Meghoma takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Ryan Kavuma McQueen takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Cyle Larin takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Kick-off! The referee is Adam Herczeg.
Southampton's perfect home record meets a resurgent Portsmouth side unbeaten in three as the first south-coast derby of the season arrives at St Mary's. With Portsmouth winless against Saints since 2010 but riding momentum, and Southampton's Larin a doubt, this Championship derby has plenty riding on it despite both sides sitting in the bottom half.
