Southampton fans take cheeky dig at rivals Portsmouth with tifo featuring legend

SOUTHAMPTON fans took a cheeky dig at bitter rivals Portsmouth by unfurling a provocative tifo on Sunday.

The south coast foes met in the league for the first time in 13 years and Saints supporters wasted no time in poking fun at their neighbours.

6 Southampton and Portsmouth faced off in the league for the first time in 13 years Credit: Getty

6 And Saints fans couldn't resist taking a pop at their rivals Credit: Getty

6 Pompey fans were goaded by a tifo referencing a game 22 years ago Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

6 Saints revealed a tifo of James Beattie cupping his ears

6 The tifo was made in partnership with various Southampton fan groups

6 Saints fans roared their approval for the display

Just before kick-off, fans in the Northam Stand at St Mary's revealed a giant tifo featuring Saints legend James Beattie cupping his ear.

The image shows the former goal machine goading Pompey fans while celebrating a famous goal against their beloved Blues 22 years ago.

On December 2, 2003 Beattie, now 47, scored both goals in Saints' 2-0 League Cup win at St Mary's.

He first prodded in a Chris Marsden cross on 33 minutes before lashing home a 90th minute penalty to fire Saints into the 5th round.

And after the first strike flashed past keeper Pavel Srnicek, Beattie ran in front of the Pompey fans and cupped his ear at them before covering his mouth.

The move endeared himself with Saints fans who still consider him a legend but made him a lifelong villain in the eyes of the Portsmouth faithful.

Saints fans cheered loudly on Sunday as the enormous canvas was passed over supporters' heads just metres from the travelling army of Pompey fans.

The display was funded by sports betting and casino operator Midnite in conjunction with a tifo committee made up of various Southampton fan groups.

Midnite's Andrew Mook said: "This is an iconic fixture in English football , and we wanted to bring the history of the fixture to life.

"We’re confident that the Saints fans will like what our TIFO Committee has come up with!”

Premier League Southampton Portsmouth James Beattie

Chelsea handed huge injury concern ahead of Bayern Munich Champions League clash: Chelsea's Joao Pedro may miss the Champions League match against Bayern Munich due to fitness concerns. Coach Enzo Maresca revealed Pedro wasn't fully fit against Brentford, raising doubts for Wednesday's game.

Inside Man City's alarming start to the Premier League season: Pep Guardiola's aura has vanished and they've lost their fear factor - our experts reveal reasons behind sluggish performances: Manchester City's poor start to the season, with two losses in three games, has raised questions about their title credentials ahead of the derby against Manchester United.

Bitter Man Utd fans take a victory lap after Garnacho costs Chelsea two points: Alejandro Garnacho's defensive lapse led to Brentford's injury-time equalizer in his Chelsea debut, costing the Blues two points. Manchester United fans mocked their former player on social media after the 1-1 draw.