Portsmouth suffer south-coast derby defeat to Southampton

Bree’s finish gave 10-man Southampton the spoils, as the Blues couldn’t find a goal from their second-half push at St Mary’s Stadium.

Cameron Bragg was sent off before the break for a second foul on Ebou Adams, as the home side dominated possession with Pompey threatening on the break.

Mousinho’s men threatened for extended periods after the restart, but couldn’t find a tangible reward from their shots on goal and touches in the opposition box.

There was once again very little in it, as Pompey closed the gap on their fierce rivals as they went into the game as clear underdogs.

But it was a game ultimately decided by small margins, as the result went again the Blues.

Pompey were opened up early on by a routine ball forward early on, with Nicolas Schmid doing well to deny Cyle Larin.

Jayden Meghoma freed Tyrese Shade but his cutback was just a tad behind Abu Kamara in the box.

Meghoma then shot at Daniel Peretz with an angled drive from the edge of the box in the 10th minute. The impressive left-back then drove forward and fired wide from a tight angle.

The home side then took the lead in the 20th minute when Finn Azaz picked out James Bree, who drifted off Meghoma and fired beyond Schmid.

Marlon Pack then needed to mop up the threat of Flynn Downes in the box, after Kamara gave the ball away cheaply.

Pompey were threatening on the counter with Shade picking out Ryan Kavuma-McQueen in the box, but his touch was heavy and the home side cleared.

The home side were then reduced to 10 men when Cameron Bragg walked for a second yellow, after a clear pull on Ebou Adams.

Peretz saved well from Colby Bishop from the resulting free-kick, before Kavuma-McQueen fired narrowly wide in the last action of the half.

Adrian Segecic was introduced for Kavuma-McQueen at the break, with Schmid making a superb stop to deny Scienza three minutes after the restart from Azaz’s pass.

Azaz was then booked for taking out Adams with a melee ensuing, with Pompey threat then ending with Swanson firing wide from the edge of the box.

Stephen then got a touch a yard in front of goal from Swanson’s cross before Segecic angled a shot into the side-netting.

Pompey were piling on the pressure with Swanson firing over from inside the box, after Shade shot the wrong side of the post with Peretz flat-footed.

The charge continued after a triple change with Marezi, Odin Bailey and Terry Devlin all throw on and Keshi Anderson then introduced in midfield.

Bailey fired a 25 yarder just wide with time ticking down, but there was no way through for Pompey through five minutes of stoppage time.