‘He could’ve booked 27 spectators’: Sky Sports pundit’s verdict on heated south-coast derby flashpoint between Portsmouth and Southampton
The white-hot south-coast derby and its flashpoints have been the focus of Sky Sports pundits today.
South-coast derby referee Lewis Smith has earned praise for his handling of a white-hot Fratton Park showdown against Southampton.
And Sky Sports ref pundit, Dermot Gallagher, has credited the official for how he dealt with the second-half flashpoint, as Pompey played out a 1-1 draw with their fierce rivals from up the M27.
It proved a crackling Fratton Park occasion as PO4 hosted the first league meeting between the sides in 15 years, with Ebou Adams’ second-half goal cancelling out Leo Scienza’s opener.
The intensity of the game was evident from the outset with tackles flying in, as the game was played at full throttle.
Referee Smith opted to set a high bar for dishing out cautions, however, an approach which allowed the players to maintain their physicality and levels of commitment at a bearpit Fratton.
Smith’s performance has earned widespread praise from commentators and observers, with Pompey boss John Mousinho also commending his commonsense approach after the game.
The man who’s not given out a red card in 16 Championship and FA Cup games this season also had to deal with a heated confrontation in the second half, as Southampton’s Flynn Downes took out Pompey’s Zak Swanson.
The incident took place in front of the North Stand with Swanson forcefully making his feelings known to his opponent, as two melees ensued in front of supporters.
The heat certainly went up from fans at that moment, with the Pompey man stating after the game it helped spark his side’s comeback.
Even in the wake of the clash, Smith opted to caution both players over dishing out a red card - with Adams the game’s only other booking.
The incident was one which merited attention on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch today, with former Premier League referee Gallagher impressed with what he saw.
He said: ‘He could have booked 27 spectators in this incident!
‘You have to admire the referee, because he did keep his cool. He did stay calm, when others didn’t!
‘You don’t know what’s happened before (whether Downes should have been given a red). I didn’t get to see that game, but I can imagine it was a really feisty game.
‘The referee has to gauge the temperature and gauge where to pitch it.’
When it came to Downes’ challenge, former Coventry City and Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd had no doubt the Southampton man would’ve been dismissed if the game was played in the Premier League.
Bothroyd believes there’s a different level for red cards being employed across English football, an approach he doesn’t necessarily agree with.
He added: ‘The threshold for challenges in the Championship is so different to the Premier League.
‘In the Premier League you get a red card for that (Downes challenge), there’s no doubt about it.
‘There’s no ifs, not buts or nothing - it’s a straight red. There’s not even a decision to make.
‘But in the lower leagues, Championship and League One you can get away with more.
‘I think the threshold has to be consistent through all the leagues. The rules should be the same.’