‘Special night’ - These Saints fans reminisce over ‘iconic’ first game against side this century

Few rivalries in English football can come close to the South Coast derby, and Southampton can hold to plenty of bragging rights from the fixture.

#OnThisDay in 2003, James Beattie scored a brace as #SaintsFC brushed aside #Pompey in the League Cup! pic.twitter.com/3iBLAXV3cW

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 2, 2019

The Saints won the most recent edition of the derby this season in the League Cup with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side claiming a massive 4-0 win over Portsmouth, and on this day 16 years ago, Southampton were again on the winning half of the fixture as the Premier League club won 3-0 against Pompey.

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James Beattie was the hero on the day, and Southampton’s official Twitter account honoured the club’s former striker with a throwback post of the attacker’s two goals, a video that Southampton supporters on social media were thrilled to see.

Here’s what some Southampton fans had to say about their 2-0 win over Portsmouth in 2003, with these supporters having fond memories of that special night at St Mary’s…

@AndyMintram – a special night & photo pic.twitter.com/jFS3NtdHw5

— Bob Stott (@sfcyorkie) December 2, 2019

That’s how you take penalties. Until recently we have had some pretty good penalty takers – Channon, Le Tiss and Beattie. What went wrong?!

— Mark Baldwin (@markswan52) December 2, 2019

That celebration – iconic

— Ash drouet (@ash_drouet) December 2, 2019

Remember it well.

— Luke (@LukeyHoare) December 2, 2019

On this day in 2003 (albeit the wee small hours of the following morning) I got zapped doing 42 in a 30 on the A12 due to roadworks where no other car or workman was in sight. It was 2.30am and was driving home to Suffolk through Essex after we had won that match!! Small price

— Neil Edwards (@neilowenedwards) December 2, 2019