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Portsmouth 0-4 Southampton: Carabao Cup – Three Key Moments

By Joe Mcindoe

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Ralph Hasenhuettl, manager of Southampton celebrates after 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: Ralph Hasenhuettl, manager of Southampton celebrates after 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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BURNLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Alex McCarthy of Southampton during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Southampton FC at Turf Moor on February 2, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Alex McCarthy of Southampton during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Southampton FC at Turf Moor on February 2, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

McCarthy Saves the Course of History

Alex McCarthy’s inclusion in the starting lineup was a big surprise ahead of the night’s action. Despite, a comical mixup four Bournemouth’s third on Friday, Angus Gunn has deservedly established himself as the man between the sticks.

While it is not entirely clear what motivated the change, given Ralph Hasenhüttl’s stated aim to play his strongest side, it is abundantly clear that McCarthy lived up to his prominent position.

With just under a quarter of the game gone and Portsmouth on top, the number one received his match defining moment.

After gaining a corner, the blues delivered an excellent ball in, Brett Pittman headed down towards the goal, with only the smallest of touches required to convert. Many inside Fratton Park erupted in jubilation, but to their shock, the ball wasn’t resting in the back of the net but instead in the grateful arms of the Saints stopper.

After making the initial save from the former Bournemouth striker’s header McCarthy looked to be stranded. The initial save miraculously evaded two Portsmouth attackers to find Jan Bednarek on the post. The Polish international may have gotten only the lightest of touches, but it was enough to send the ball back across goal, past the desperate blue shirts, to then be reeled in by a relieved goalie.

While certainly not the most technically gifted stop you’ll ever see, Alex’s heroics defined the course of the match. The hosts had been in the ascendancy since kickoff and an early lead coupled with a hostile home support would’ve made it very difficult for Southampton to cope with the pressure.

yes, the title might be a tad overblown, but four saving the day in a South Coast Derby Alex McCarthy is practically Superman.