Southampton 0 – 1 Bournemouth. Bournemouth moved closer to Premier League survival and pushed Southampton towards relegation with an impressive victory at St Mary’s.
Marcus Tavernier’s deflected strike five minutes after the break enabled the Cherries to recover from the 4-0 home defeat to West Ham and open up a seven-point cushion to the relegation places.
Southampton’s peril at the bottom deepens as they lie six points from safety, short on ideas and feeling the frustration of the home fans despite a bright start that saw Theo Walcott’s deflected header bounce off the woodwork.
Bournemouth was rewarded for playing the more composed and ordered football, bringing them a third win in four league games as they edge towards safety on 36 points.
Substitute Che Adams thought he had snatched a point with a late strike but it was ruled out for offside after a VAR check, compounding Saints’ misery.
Bournemouth’s latest win only adds to the fine body of work put together by manager Gary O’Neil since he succeeded sacked Scott Parker on a permanent basis.
From looking likely relegation candidates, O’Neil’s calm and composed manner has been reflected in the style with which Bournemouth closed out a deserved triumph at St Mary’s.
The Cherries always looked in control after an early Southampton push, that late strike from substitute Adams providing their only moment of alarm until VAR’s intervention ruled it out for offside.
Bournemouth, 14th in the table, now look firmly locked on course to stay up, a fact reflected by the joyous reaction of the travelling fans at the final whistle as the stadium resounded to chants of “We are staying up”.
And on this evidence they fully deserve to maintain their Premier League status, their measured passing style showing no signs of any relegation nerves.
source – BBC