The first south coast derby between Southampton and Portsmouth in the league for 13 years ended in an anticlimactic 0-0 draw at St Mary’s.
The anticipation for the game had been high since the fixtures were released in June. The noise was deafening as the players walked out; the fireworks, pyrotechnics and enormous tifo, emblazoned with the face of Saints legend James Beattie, added to an already electric atmosphere.
Pompey had the first chance, when Andre Dozzell reacted first to a poor clearance, and curled a first-time effort off the crossbar, with Gavin Bazunu beaten.
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Andre Dozzell reacts first to a poor clearance and curls a first-time effort off the crossbar with Gavin Bazunu beaten.
That was the highlight of a first half that, otherwise, flattered to deceive. The first shot on target did not come until the sixth minute of added time, when Saints’ Cameron Archer connected with Tom Fellows’ deflected cross.
That was easily collected by substitute goalkeeper Ben Killip, who had replaced Nico Schmid after 26 minutes. He was injured after a collision with Connor Ogilvie, who was withdrawn at half-time.
There was a big let-off for the visitors early in the second half when Cameron Archer gambled on a backwards header, drew Killip from his line, raced beyond him and squared, but there were only blue shirts waiting to clear.
The only other shot on target of the game came 77 minutes in, when Terry Devlin, just moments after his introduction, struck a low drive straight at Bazunu. A goalless draw was an inevitability after that.
The managers
Southampton’s Will Still:
To follow…
Portsmouth’s John Mousinho:
To follow…
