Southampton ended a wait of more than two decades for a league win in this fixture by beating Portsmouth 1-0 at St Mary’s Stadium, holding on for the closing stages with ten men.
James Bree struck the only goal of the game in the 20th minute, finishing confidently after being picked out by an excellent Finn Azaz pass. The goal came in front of a predictably loud crowd at St Mary’s Stadium.
Southampton’s task became considerably harder on the stroke of half time, when Cameron Bragg was shown a second yellow card and sent off, leaving the hosts a man short for the whole of the second half.
Portsmouth, enjoying the extra man, pressed for an equaliser after the break. As tempers grew heated and full time drew closer, the visitors were still unable to find a way past their hosts.
The win was the first league victory for either club in this meeting in 21 years, and Southampton’s first league success in the derby for 22 years.
Eckert takes his place in the dugout
The result arrived at the end of a week in which Southampton manager Tonda Eckert admitted the club’s Spygate scandal “changed my life”. The 33-year-old was given a suspended six-week suspension on Wednesday over his involvement in the Saints secretly filming a Middlesbrough training session towards the end of last season.
He avoided an immediate touchline ban, which meant he was able to be in the dugout as his side saw off their bitter rivals Pompey.
Southampton climb to 11th in the second tier, with their perfect home league record this season still intact. Portsmouth remain down in 19th.
Southampton take the points and the bragging rights, having protected a narrow lead with ten men against their closest rivals on a night the club had waited 22 years for in the league.
