Ten-Man Southampton Beat Portsmouth 1-0 for First League Derby Win Since 2004

Southampton beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the Championship at St Mary's on Sunday, October 11, despite playing the whole second half with ten men. It is their first league win over Portsmouth since November 2004, a gap of nearly 22 years.

James Bree scored the only goal inside the first 20 minutes, bundling the ball into the bottom corner. Cyle Larin had gone close earlier, but Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid saved his effort from the middle of the box.

The hosts were then reduced to ten before half-time. Academy product Cameron Bragg was shown a second yellow card for pulling down Ebou Adams, and he was sent off.

Portsmouth had most of the play after the break and finished with 15 shots. They could not find an equaliser, though. Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and a resolute defence stood firm. Bree himself won eight duels as the hosts defended deep and blocked shots with their bodies. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen had Portsmouth's best early chance, but his strike across goal missed the target.

Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho said he was absolutely gutted. He explained that it is hard to create chances against ten men when the opposition sit so deep. Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert said the win meant everything to the club, but admitted his side had to dig deep after the red card.

It was also a big day for Eckert off the pitch. He had avoided an immediate ban after a ruling on Wednesday over his part in last season's "Spygate" scandal, and was on the touchline for his first South Coast derby as Southampton boss. The two sides drew 1-1 in their last meeting in January.