SOUTHAMPTON’S blockbuster clash with Portsmouth was interrupted by a pitch invader.
Saints and Pompey were meeting in the league for the first time in 13 years in today’s Championship clash.
But in the 38th minute, the match had to be halted after a fan managed to evade the St Marys stewards and security before running on to the pitch.
The fan ran over the halfway line and appeared to gesture towards the away fans before a steward in a high-vis orange jacket grabbed his arm when they slowed down.
Other stadium security staff and police then caught up to them, with as many as eight then encircling the fan and escorting them off the pitch and out of view down the tunnel.
SunSport have approached Southampton for comment.
Fans reacting to the pitch invader on social media were not happy with the incident.
One said: “Fair play pitch invader got a whole two seconds of screen time.”
A second said: “Pitch invader uno, everyone in the stadium thinks you’re a moron.”
Another said: “Oh, we’ve got a loon pitch invader at St Mary’s.”
The match was also paused in the first half after a lighter was thrown on the pitch while Portsmouth winger Josh Murphy took a throw in.
Unfortunately, the incident was one of the few notable events of the first half as Will Still’s and John Mousinho’s respective sides were unable to break the deadlock.
The hosts had the lions share of possession, but were down to the visitors in the shots department.
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