Ten-man Southampton held on to earn all three points and, perhaps just as crucially, bragging rights in the south-coast derby with fierce rivals Portsmouth in the Championship. At an unsurprisingly raucous St Marys Stadium, James Bree netted what proved to be the only goal of the game after 20 minutes, finishing well after being picked out impressively by Finn Azaz. The Saints task was made all the more difficult when Cameron Bragg was dismissed for a second yellow on the stroke of half-time. After the break, Portsmouth, with the man advantage, pushed for an equaliser, but as tempers began to flare as the clock clicked closer to full-time, the visitors were unable to break down their hosts. It was the first league victory for either side in this fixture for 21 years, and a first league win for Southampton in the derby for 22 years. Eckert: Spygate scandal changed my lifeThe result comes at the end of a week when Southampton boss Tonda Eckert admitted the clubs Spygate scandal changed my life. The 33-year-old was handed a suspended six-week suspension on Wednesday following his involvement in the Saints secretly filming a Middlesbrough training session towards the end of last season.However, he avoided an immediate touchline ban and so was able to be in the dugout as they saw off their bitter rivals Pompey. The win sees Southampton, who maintain their perfect league record at home this term, move up to 11th in the second tier, while Portsmouth languish down in 19th. Topics Portsmouth Football Club Southampton F.C. If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read The Championship on TV: Full list for the first half of 2026/27 Ben Miller 9th October, 2026 Southampton boss Tonda Eckert admits Spygate scandal changed my life after escaping touchline ban Mitch Fretton 9th October, 2026 Southampton praise FA over Eckert verdict but vow not to forget EFL treatment Ben Miller 7th October, 2026 FA charge Southampton boss Eckert following Spygate scandal Jon Fisher 22nd July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina report, result, goals and why Cyle Larins goal was beautiful to make history for co-hosts Ben Miller 12th June, 2026 BREAKING: Southampton boss Eckert apologises but wont be sacked for key role in Spygate scandal Jon Fisher 2nd June, 2026
