David Norris’ stoppage-time equaliser in the April 2012 south-cast derby entered Fratton folklore and continues to be toasted on each anniversary.
Yet Rocha’s contribution is also fondly remembered by many Blues fans, albeit centring on an unsavoury clash with Adam Lallana.
When Pompey’s central defender accidentally kicked a ball into a Southampton fan while aiming for the advertising hoardings, he was confronted by an angry Lallana.
Rocha responded by clipping the midfielder around the face in view of referee Neil Swarbrick – although somehow escaped with merely a booking.
And the former Portugal international also concedes he got lucky.
He told The News: ‘What happened with Lallana was crazy. Even in Benfica, I had some crazy moments, my mind would just stop and I did something a little stupid.
‘At that moment I didn’t mean to strike the fan with the ball, I just wanted to hit the publicity board and I couldn’t. After that I said “Sorry” to the fan – and Lallana said to me “What are you doing?”. So I smacked him in the face.
‘At least I only got the yellow card. I was lucky not to get sent off because, in those games, anything can happen. With big rivalries, you always try to be focused and concentrated, but it can be difficult.
‘I had already received a few red cards at Pompey by that stage, I didn’t want to get any more!
