Keith Hackett reacts to Finn Azaz controversy in Portsmouth loss vs Southampton

Finn Azaz was involved in a contentious moment as Portsmouth tasted defeat to Southampton in Sunday's South Coast derby.

James Bree scored what proved to be the only goal of the game at St Mary's 20 minutes into the contest.

The derby was as feisty as expected, with Southampton midfielder Cam Bragg being sent off for two yellow cards prior to half-time.

That made Bragg the first player to be sent off in this fixture since Diomansy Kamara for Portsmouth in a 2004-05 FA Cup tie.

Pompey could not make the man advantage count as a lack of cutting edge in the opposition box saw them left frustrated.

However, it may have been a different game had Azaz also been shown a red card in the second half.

Keith Hackett hits out at 'unacceptable' South Coast derby decision

John Mousinho's men did not trouble their rivals' defence near as much as they should have with the man advantage.

Azaz was arguably the best player on the pitch, but the truth is he should have been dismissed less than 10 minutes into the second half.

The Southampton playmaker lunged in on Ebou Adams midway inside the Pompey half.

Referee Adam Herczeg reached into his pocket, but it was a yellow rather than a red.

However, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has slammed the referee over that decision.

"This is a challenge that is unacceptable and should have resulted in a straight red card," Hackett exclusively told Pompey News.

"The criteria of serious foul play is fulfilled. There is malice and an act of retribution in this challenge.

"Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.

"The law has to be applied whatever the game is in front of you."

Had Herczeg correctly applied the law, Southampton would have had nine men and Portsmouth surely would not have lost from that position.

Guy Whittingham sums up Portsmouth woes perfectly

Mousinho has some questions to answer following this hard-to-take defeat.

Portsmouth registered an expected goals (xG) value of 0.72, compared to 1.28 for Southampton.

Pompey had 15 shots, more than double that of Southampton, but just two were on target compared to three for the hosts.

As Guy Whittingham pointed out on BBC Radio Solent: "You need players with quality to finish the game off. Money buys the quality.

"We've got the team spirit and hard work, but you've got to take chances in the big moments."

Unfortunately for Mousinho and Portsmouth, none of those chances were taken and that is simply not good enough.