Southampton 3-3 Bournemouth: Hasenhuttl praises players as Saints secure safety
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Matt Targett scored the 1,000th Premier League goal of 2018-19 with Southampton's third
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl praised his side's "amazing" achievement after an entertaining draw with Bournemouth secured their Premier League survival.
The Saints were 18th with only nine points from 15 games when Hasenhuttl replaced the sacked Mark Hughes in December.
However, they have now taken 29 points from the 21 league games since the Austrian took over, and this draw - along with Cardiff's 1-0 defeat at Fulham - guaranteed Southampton's safety with two games to go.
"We're very happy now - we deserve this," said Hasenhuttl. "We had to take a lot of points, it's amazing, and to be clear [of relegation] two games before the end is fantastic for us. We've learned a lot and showed how beautiful we can play.
"This summer we will rebuild. We can start planning for next year tomorrow and the target [next season] is to get 40 points earlier than this year. A bit less stress would be nice."
Shane Long gave the hosts a deserved 12th-minute lead with a shot that took a deflection off of Nathan Ake following Nathan Redmond's pass.
But Bournemouth equalised with their first shot of the match when Dan Gosling finished off a quick counter-attack after being set up by Callum Wilson.
Long then could only hit the post with an open goal before Wilson put Bournemouth ahead from a rebound as Angus Gunn could not hold on to David Brooks' effort.
However, Saints fought back and James Ward-Prowse's low strike made it 2-2 before substitute Matt Targett headed the hosts in front from Yan Valery's right-wing cross.
But Wilson grabbed his second - and Bournemouth's third - late on, bundling the ball home from close range after Ryan Fraser's run.
Despite not getting the victory, Cardiff's loss at Fulham meant the draw was enough for Southampton. Their players celebrated on the pitch, with chants of "we are staying up" ringing around St Mary's.
Saints showed how beautiful they can play - Ralph Hasenhuttl
A thrilling south coast derby
In front of a capacity crowd, this south coast derby proved to be a thrilling and hugely enjoyable encounter.
The Saints took a deserved lead through Long before Bournemouth gained a surprise equaliser with a fine move finished off by Gosling.
Long should have restored the hosts' advantage but produced one of the misses of the season when he hit the post with an empty goal from only a few yards out after Artur Boruc had parried his first effort.
Instead, Wilson gave the Cherries a half-time lead, but the hosts equalised within eight minutes of the restart.
A powerful header from substitute Targett - his first Southampton goal - swung the match back in the Saints' favour, before Wilson's second with four minutes remaining brought it level again.
With Gareth Southgate watching on, the England international had a chance for a hat-trick to seal the win for Bournemouth, but Gunn made a fine save to deny Wilson when he was through on goal.
After the final whistle at St Mary's, the home players faced an anxious wait for confirmation of Cardiff's defeat before the celebrations could start.
Man of the match - Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
With England manager Gareth Southgate in the stands, England striker Callum Wilson scored twice to take his tally to 15 in all competitions for the season
Another Fraser assist - the stats
Southampton have lost 27 points from leading positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.
Bournemouth have taken seven points from their last four away league games (won two, drawn one) after taking none from the nine before that.
Southampton's Shane Long has scored in three successive home Premier League games for the first time.
Bournemouth's Dan Gosling has netted two goals in his last three league appearances, as many as he had managed in his previous 67.
Bournemouth's Callum Wilson has scored and assisted in six different Premier League games this season, more than any other player.
James Ward-Prowse has scored seven goals in the league this season for Southampton (24 apps), as many as he had managed in his two previous seasons combined (60 apps).
Ryan Fraser has provided 13 assists in the league this season, a joint-high figure in the competition (level with Eden Hazard).
'A lot of heart and spirit' - what they said
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl to BBC Sport: "It was a crazy game - a tremendous match. I'm very happy to be in the best league in the world. Every weekend is a tremendous experience.
"Every day I enjoy this job very much. It's everything I expected from the Premier League."
Bournemouth comeback pleases Howe
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe to BBC Sport: "So much to talk about. Not a perfect display from either side but there was a lot of heart and spirit. Good goals, poor defending. We've got to be pleased with the way we came back.
"We came under pressure, the wind was a big factor. We found a goal, that plus a formation change got us in the game. There were incredible swings in the game which is quite rare. We ended really strongly.
"Tactically we weren't where we needed to be. Chris [Mepham, substituted for Ryan Fraser after 23 minutes] unfortunately was sacrificed for the team. We were much better for the change.
"For passages, our counter-attacking was very strong. I felt we could win the game. Callum [Wilson] had a big chance to win the game. He's got two goals and performed well but that was a big moment.
"It's been a tough season for Southampton but they've responded well to their new manager and they're tough to play against."
What's next?
Southampton play at West Ham on Saturday 4 May and face already-relegated Huddersfield at home in their last match of the season on Sunday 12 May.
Bournemouth, who are 13th in the table, play their last home match against Tottenham on Saturday, before an away game at Crystal Palace on the final day.