Southampton hammer Portsmouth 4-0, claiming South Coast bragging rights

It was never in doubt who owned the South Coast. However, Southampton only proved that, beating Portsmouth 4-0 over the weekend.

Playing their second match in the Women’s League Cup, Southampton were eager to pick up their first points in group C. They lost in the opening match to London City Lionesses.

However, since they were selected to face Portsmouth in the second match of the Women's League Cup, the Saints were always confident they would win the game.

Low and behold, Southampton won the South Coast Derby at the weekend. In fact, to simply claim that Southampton "won" would be an unfortunate understatement - Southampton hammered Portsmouth, and never gave Pompey any sniff at goal.

Southampton hammer Portsmouth 4-0, claiming South Coast bragging rights

Within only 20 minutes of the match, Southampton were already two goals ahead. Quick-fire goals from Emma Thompson and Megan Collett saw the Saints two goals ahead. Thompson then doubled her personal tally after the half-hour mark, with Southampton 3-0 ahead at half-time.

Half time saw wholesale changes for the away side. With Southampton comfortably ahead, they saw no need to humiliate the opposition. In fact, Remi Allen was rather reserved, preferring to rotate her team to avoid any unnecessary injuries.

Still, Southampton maintained the control of the game which was, admittedly, never in any doubt. Ultimately, a clean sheet was held by the Saints, which was only the subtext of the match.

Emma Thompson put the cherry on the cake at the end of the match. She netted her third goal of the match and Southampton's fourth. This was Thompson's first hat-trick in her career, so a magnificent achievement for the English forward.

Now, Southampton are second in group C. They will face their toughest challenge in the next Women's League Cup match, where they come up against group-toppers West Ham.

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