Beattie double seals Saints win in fiery south coast derby

Southampton 2 Portsmouth 0

The Saints and England striker tapped home after 32 minutes and converted an injury-time penalty to clinch victory in the first south-coast derby for almost eight years.

The late spot-kick was awarded by referee Graham Poll when Arjan de Zeeuw clipped Beattie’s heels, an offence which also earned the defender a red card.

This fourth-round tie was the first meeting between the bitter south-coast rivals for almost eight years.

The thunderous atmosphere created by a 30,000 St Mary’s crowd was heightened yet further by some disrespectful chanting from the away sections during the pre-match minute’s silence for the late Southampton president Ted Bates, who died last week.

Claus Lundekvam had the best early chance for the home side but his header was clawed out from the under the bar by Pompey keeper Pavel Srnicek.

The Saints had the ball in the net after 27 minutes, but Brett Ormerod, who slotted home, was flagged offside.

But there was nothing wrong on 33 minutes when the home side swept into the lead. Boris Zivkovic lost possession midway into his own half, and a neat move down the left culminated in Chris Marsden zipping the ball across the six-yard box.

Beattie beat Srnicek to the ball and clipped home from four yards for his ninth goal of the season.

Pompey fashioned a half-chance five minutes after the break but Steve Stone slipped as he struck the ball and sliced it wide.

Redknapp’s side had an opportunity to draw level when a cross was only half-cleared by the Saints defence but Berger’s shot was deflected wide. Saints substitute David Prutton sent a piledriver straight into Srnicek’s grasp late on.

Pompey’s misery was complete when Arjan de Zeeuw clipped Beattie’s heels in stoppage time and referee Graham Poll awarded a penalty and sent him off.

Beattie slotted home from the spot to make it 2-0 and award bragging rights to the home supporters.

SOUTHAMPTON: Niemi, Dodd, Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Higginbotham, Fernandes, Delap, Telfer, Marsden, Beattie, Ormerod.

PORTSMOUTH: Srnicek, Zivkovic, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, Taylor, Stone, Smertin, Faye, Berger, Sheringham, Ayegbini.

Referee: G Poll.