Southampton 2-1 Bournemouth

Mark Hughes celebrated his first Premier League win as Southampton manager

Southampton proved they have enough quality to earn Premier League survival with their hard-fought home win against Bournemouth, says manager Mark Hughes.

Saints forward Dusan Tadic scored both goals in a 2-1 win which moved his third-bottom side within a point of safety with three games remaining.

It was their first Premier League victory in five matches under Hughes.

"We need to keep this momentum and if we keep playing like this we will go close," said the Welshman.

"We need to have the teams above us looking over their shoulder, and clearly this result does that for us. They know we have good quality.

"We needed to win the game, a draw wasn't good enough. It was a huge effort."

Tadic put the home side ahead with a low finish after a swift counter-attack, only for Bournemouth forward Joshua King to fire in an equaliser seconds before half-time.

Tadic restored the advantage with a precise finish after a penetrating run, although Saints needed keeper Alex McCarthy to make a flying save from Ryan Fraser in stoppage time.

Southampton hung on to earn their first home league win since beating Everton in November, ending a run of nine games without victory at St Mary's.

Hughes' side visit fourth-bottom Swansea in what looks set to be a pivotal match on 8 May.

Saints stayed within a point of safety after fourth-bottom Swansea lost 1-0 against Chelsea later on Saturday

• Follow all the post-match reaction from Saturday's Premier League games

• Relive Southampton's hard-fought win

Saints marching on to survival?

Hughes failed to chalk up a victory in his opening four Premier League matches after replacing Mauricio Pellegrino, which left his new club in the relegation zone and at risk of being cut adrift.

No wonder the Welshman described the visit of Bournemouth as "arguably" the most important of a managerial career spanning almost 600 matches.

A nervy atmosphere around St Mary's changed when Tadic punished the away side for switching off, Saints swiftly turning defence into attack as Mario Lemina sprang forward before picking out the Serb, who coolly converted with a low angled shot from 15 yards.

Saints have had a nasty habit of throwing leads away this season - and it was a case of deja vu as Bournemouth levelled with almost the last kick of the first half.

The Cherries, who were looking for their first win at St Mary's, only managed their first shot on target seconds before King pounced at the far post when Saints were unpicked by an away corner.

A furious-looking Hughes marched down the tunnel at half-time, presumably to have some stern words with his side for switching off defensively, and they returned after the break with renewed purpose.

Tadic pounced on an error from Cherries defender Steve Cook, who tried to chest down a long punt by McCarthy, the Serb surging forward before precisely slotting in the winner.

Hughes was unusually animated in the closing stages, a mark of how important the match was to Saints, urging more noise from his team's supporters.

They obliged and the home team responded with a dogged - and sometimes desperate - defensive display to keep Bournemouth out.

"The new coach gave us extra power and experience and finally we gave him something back," said Tadic.

Cherries on the verge of safety

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has refused to accept his team are safe from relegation, despite sitting in 12th place and six points above third-bottom Saints.

Victory at neighbouring Saints - something they had not achieved in 13 previous attempts - would have mathematically assured Howe's side of a fourth consecutive season of Premier League football.

That they are already so far ahead of the drop zone is testament to the hard work and resilience of Howe and his players.

Having lost seven of their opening 10 matches, the Cherries did not emerge out of the bottom three until early November and were also there as recently as 26 December.

A fine run of form has since prevented any serious concerns, but after a performance which he described as "disappointing", Howe says he is still looking over his shoulder.

His side threatened more in the latter stages as Southampton retreated and almost nicked a point when Fraser's arcing drive was stopped by McCarthy.

"The goals we conceded were big mistakes and we got punished for them," Howe said.

"I am disappointed with how we played, it was a game we could and should have won if we play like we can, but we didn't."

Man of the match - Dusan Tadic (Southampton)

Tadic was brought back into the Southampton side and repaid Hughes with a sparkling display. The Serb was at the heart of their best attacking play and showed real quality to convert both of his goals. They took him to seven goals in all competitions this season, moving him level with Charlie Austin as Saints' joint top scorer

'A draw or a loss wouldn't do' - post-match reaction

Southampton manager Mark Hughes: "Everyone knew the circumstance, we needed a win and draw or a loss wouldn't do. This is only a part of what we need to do, but good for us.

"I thought we were good value for the lead, then we conceded from a set-piece. Worry sets in about how the guys react, we have been damaged by previous results, but to a man they all stepped up, dug in, got back in the lead.

"At the end we were throwing bodies to keep them out. It is a huge result for us, doesn't mean anything yet but potentially significant.

"We need to have the teams above us looking over their shoulder, and this result does that. They know we have good quality."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "The spirit is there and the will to do well is there, but for whatever reason we complicated the game, made too many bad decisions individually which hurt us collectively.

"We have got to show that pride in trying to achieve and win. We have got two games to do that now."

Southampton not a great day out for Bournemouth - the stats

• Bournemouth have now failed to win any of their 14 trips to Southampton in all competitions, losing nine and drawing five.

• Saints have scored two or more goals in both of their home league games under Hughes, as many times as they managed in their last 14 matches at St Mary's under Pellegrino.

• The Cherries have now conceded at least 60 goals in all three of their seasons in the Premier League.

• Only two other sides have conceded 60 or more goals in three or more successive Premier League seasons - Southampton (1992-93 to 1994-95) and Wigan Athletic (2009-10 to 2012-13).

• Tadic, who scored his first Premier League brace since April 2016 against Aston Villa, became only the third Serbian player to score 20+ Premier League goals, after Savo Milosevic (29) and Branislav Ivanovic (22).

• King became the first Bournemouth player to score away at Southampton in any competition since October 1987, and the first to do so in a league match since February 1960.

What's next?

Another important game for Southampton's Premier League survival hopes. The Saints go to Everton next Saturday (17:15 BST), while Bournemouth host Swansea at 15:00 BST.