Southampton vs Bournemouth Report

Scorers:  Sulemana 72’; Ouattara 14’, Christie 16’, Tavernier 83’

AFC Bournemouth strengthened their push for European football with a commanding 3-1 victory over basement side Southampton at St. Mary’s, completing their first-ever Premier League double over their south-coast rivals.

Quick-fire goals from Dango Ouattara and Ryan Christie set the Cherries on course, while Marcus Tavernier sealed the win late on after Kamaldeen Sulemana had briefly given Southampton hope.

Christie Orchestrates Lightning Start for Bournemouth

Southampton entered the match hoping to secure back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since February 2022, but their ambitions were quickly dashed by a ruthless Bournemouth side.

The Cherries started cautiously but burst into life in the 14th minute when Ryan Christie unlocked the Saints’ defence with a perfectly weighted angled ball. Dango Ouattara met the delivery with a glancing header, steering it past Aaron Ramsdale to give the visitors the lead.

Just two minutes later, Bournemouth struck again, capitalising on Southampton’s defensive frailties. Christie, at the heart of everything creative, found himself unchallenged outside the box and took full advantage, drilling a precise left-footed strike beyond Ramsdale to double his side’s lead.

Bournemouth in Control as Southampton Struggle

With a two-goal cushion, Bournemouth dictated the tempo for the remainder of the first half. Their dominance nearly resulted in a third goal before the break, as Antoine Semenyo dazzled his way into the box before setting up Ouattara, whose effort from a tight angle was well saved by Ramsdale.

Southampton’s struggles continued into the second half, with Semenyo once again tormenting the home defence.

His footwork created another golden opportunity, but Ramsdale denied him with a sharp save. Moments later, the Saints’ goalkeeper was called into action again, this time producing a crucial stop to keep out Christie’s near-post header.

Sulemana Provides a Lifeline Before Tavernier’s Decisive Strike

Despite being second best for most of the game, Southampton found a lifeline with 20 minutes remaining. Against the run of play, Kamaldeen Sulemana rifled a low shot through the goalmouth, halving the deficit and breathing new life into the contest.

However, any hopes of a dramatic comeback were quickly extinguished. Southampton’s defensive woes resurfaced when Kyle Walker-Peters’ miscued back-header nearly gifted Bournemouth a third goal, forcing Ramsdale into yet another intervention.

But Bournemouth finally found their insurance goal through substitute Marcus Tavernier, who cut onto his left foot before unleashing a powerful finish to put the result beyond doubt.

What This Means for Both Teams

• Bournemouth: Andoni Iraola’s side extended their unbeaten away run in the Premier League to seven matches, their longest-ever streak in the top flight. The victory keeps their European ambitions alive, as they continue to challenge for a place in the top seven.
• Southampton: The Saints’ woes at home deepened, as they suffered a seventh successive league defeat at St. Mary’s. Ivan Jurić’s side remains rooted to the foot of the table, with survival looking increasingly unlikely unless they can turn around their miserable home form.

Final Thoughts

Bournemouth showcased their attacking quality with a clinical first-half performance, and while Southampton briefly threatened a comeback, the Cherries’ control and composure ensured a well-deserved victory.

Christie’s creativity, Semenyo’s trickery, and Tavernier’s late goal highlighted the depth of quality in Iraola’s squad, as they continue their impressive run towards European qualification.

For Southampton, this was another frustrating afternoon. Despite flashes of attacking promise, their defensive frailties once again proved costly. With time running out, they must find a way to turn performances into points if they are to avoid a return to the Championship.

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Southampton v Bournemouth, 2024/25 | Premier League