The first league South Coast Derby in over 13 years ends goalless despite plenty of huff and puff from Pompey at St Mary's.
It was a performance that the 200,000+ people of Portsmouth can be fondly proud of - After going toe-to-toe with a side that spent over £100 million this summer transfer window, Pompey claim a point and a clean sheet.
Despite the Blues having more of the clear-cut chances in both halves, notably an Andre Dozzell thunder-strike of the ball that ricocheted the crossbar early on, the Blues were unable to nick the 3 points, but can go into the next few weeks of the Championship with their heads firmly held high.
There were plenty of positives for Pompey; however, 2 negatives for John Mousinho’s side, with both Nicolas Schmid and Connor Ogilvie having to leave with injuries after a collision in the first half.
Schmid left St Mary’s with a sling on his hand after it took a nasty tumble in the incident, while Ogilvie had to be admitted at half-time and later had to go to Southampton General for an X-ray on his neck, which took a nasty landing.
It would not be a derby without both sides getting heated in the moment, with actions coming from the home side, which simply have no place in football, and Will Still was not too fond of the way John Mousinho shook his hand after the full-time whistle.
An obvious change to the side that defeated Preston North End 1-0 two weeks ago was the arrival of Connor Chaplin into the starting 11, with the attacking midfielder coming in for Florian Bianchini, which pushed Adrian Segečić out to the right wing.
Pompey were narrowly close to taking an early lead through Dozzell, when the ball fell to the midfielder’s feet outside the area, but his right-footed strike at goal smacked off the crossbar.
The Blues continued to pepper the Saints' goal, with Josh Murphy having several bright spells down the left flank where he got the better of Mads Roerslev multiple times.
Sadly, keeper Nicholas Schmid had his afternoon cut short when the Blues' shot-stopper was sandwiched in a collision between Connor Ogilvie and Tom Fellows, which left the Austrian straining the bone in his right hand.
Schmid attempted to play on, but the pain was too much, forcing Mousinho into a sub just half an hour into the derby, with Ben Killip coming on in goal.
The Blues then had another close-shaved effort at goal, this time the captain Colby Bishop, who got onto the end of Murphy’s cross, but the number nine’s half volley went wide, just moments before half-time.
Cameron Archer was then not far away from an opener when the Southampton striker got on to the end of Shea Charles’ late cross, but Ben Killip easily made the save.
There was an additional seven minutes of added time, following the first half collision that saw Schmid and Ogilvie need treatment for at least 5 minutes.
HALF-TIME: Southampton 0-0 Portsmouth
Consequently, Ogilvie was subbed due to a concussion/neck strain, which left a bloodied bump on the full back’s head, with Jordan Williams coming on at left back after the interval.
Early in the second half, Archer came close again, this time the Saints forward got the better of Killip, who came off his line, but the Aston Villa academy graduate's pass at goal near the byline was calmly cleared by Williams and John Swift.
Andre Dozzell was not the only standout player wearing blue in Itchen, with right-back Zack Swanson putting his body on the line numerous times to deny Still’s side an opening with several blocks and clearances of the ball up the field.
With twenty minutes to go, John Mousinho made a double change, with Luke Le Roux and the fired-up Terry Devlin replacing John Swift and Adrian Segečić.
Terry Devlin almost made quite the impact when the Northern Ireland International was at the back post to get behind Bishop’s missed header from Murphy’s in-swinging cross, but the versatile Devlin poked the ball wide; however, Bishop was already in an offside position.
Neither side was able to claim the bragging rights in the additional four minutes of added time, but all eyes and cameras were on the scenes at full time, when Will Still was left feeling moderately annoyed with the manner of John Mousinho’s firm but fair handshake.
FULL-TIME: Southampton 0-0 Portsmouth
Next up: It’s back to Fratton Park for John Mousinho’s side, when the Blues welcome Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday next Saturday.
John Mousinho’s side may feel as though they were worthy winners today, but there were plenty of key moments of positive play that the Blues can take into Saturday’s return to Fortress Fratton.
Can Pompey take a proud thought performance against their bitter rivals and turn it into three points next weekend? In front of what will be a raucous home crowd on Portsea Island.
Southampton: 31. Bazunu (GK), 2. Roerslev, 5. Stephens (C), 6. Harwood-Bellis, 3. Manning, 24. Charles, 4. Downes (20. Jander), 26. Fraser (46. Robinson), 10. Azaz (11. Stewart), 18. Fellows (13. Scienza), 19. Archer (9. Armstrong)
Unused subs: 1. McCarthy (GK), 12. Edwards, 15. Wood, 38. Jelert
Bookings: Harwood-Bellis 45+1’, Stephens 47’, Downes 65’, Roerslev 68’
Manager: Will Still
Portsmouth: 1. Schmid (GK) (30. Killip GK), 22. Swanson, 5. Poole, 6. Shaughnessy, 3. Ogilvie (2. Williams), 8. Swift, 21. Dozzell, 8. Swift (16. Le Roux), 10. Segečić (24. Devlin), 36. Chaplin, 23. Murphy, 9. Bishop (C) (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Unused subs: 4. Knight, 7. Pack, 11. Bianchini, 25. Kirk 47. Min-hyeok
Bookings: Swanson 44’, Swift 73’
Head coach: John Mousinho
Venue: St Mary's Stadium
Referee: Matthew Donohue
Attendance: 30,889 (Including 2,700 Pompey fans)
If you'd like to hear analysis from this South Coast Derby clash, the Pompey Live: Extra-Time podcast is now available to listen back to! Jake Smith was joined in the St Mary's press box by Charlie Sinclair and James Wilson.
The Football Hour returns to Express FM tomorrow evening (September 15th) from 6pm with Jake Smith, George Wedlake and Alex Fletcher providing further reaction to the goalless draw at St Mary's.
Comments
Add a comment