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Portsmouth 0-4 Southampton: Carabao Cup – Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Cedric Soares of Southampton(back) celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park on September 24, 2019 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Cedric Soares of Southampton(back) celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park on September 24, 2019 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Cedric Soares of Southampton(2R) celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park on September 24, 2019 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Cedric Soares of Southampton(2R) celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park on September 24, 2019 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

The Saints won the South Coast derby in spectacular fashion, beating Portsmouth 4-0 for their largest margin of victory ever at Fratton Park.

Southampton were pressed early and often by a fan-motivated Portsmouth side.  The first 15 minutes were extremely nervy, and the Saints were fortunate to not concede.  John Marquis surprised goalkeeper Alex McCarthy with a quick strike and Brett Pitman nearly found the opener from a barrage of corners.  The Saints remained resilient despite with the ball primarily in their defencive third, and were rewarded with their breakthrough against the run of play in the 21st minute.

Danny Ings will be the hero in the headlines, netting a brace in the biggest game of the season.  However, it was Southampton’s defence, primarily Jan Bednarek and Maya Yoshida who deserve the real credit.  The centre-back pairing each came up with a couple of big blocks to help preserve the shutout.

Southampton headed into the break up 2-0, but it took a serious effort to put the game to bed.  Cedric Soares netting the unlikely goal, while being far out of position, but in the right place at the right time to make it 3-0.

The race to the final whistle was all Southampton as Nathan Redmond ran free over and over again.  His goal capping off a wonderful night for all Saints fans in a derby match seven years in the making.  Ralph Hasenhuttl has to be proud of his team who came to Fratton Park, survived the early pressure and then took the reigns.  It was a night many fans will never forget and a good result heading into the weekend visit to Tottenham.

Here are the player ratings for the Southampton players following their win in the South Coast derby.