Bournemouth cruise to win over Southampton in Premier League
Evanilson, Ouattara & Semenyo put hosts in command before half-time
Harwood-Bellis reduced deficit early in second half with header
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
That's all for this live page on a great night for Bournemouth but another worrying one for Southampton and boss Russell Martin.
Thanks for joining us. Back to Champions League action tomorrow, with Arsenal and Manchester City among those playing.
Hopefully you can join us on Tuesday. See you then.
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth claimed a comfortable Premier League victory over south-coast rivals Southampton, whose dismal start to the campaign continued at Vitality Stadium.
The result lifts Bournemouth up to 11th in the table and the outcome rarely looked in doubt after club record signing Evanilson set the Cherries on their way - the Brazil forward reacting sharply to Marcus Tavernier’s quickly taken free-kick to prod the ball past Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
From that point Andoni Iraola’s side took full control against a Southampton team who are 19th, with just a solitary point to show from their first six games of the season.
With Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie dominating in midfield, the hosts doubled their lead.
Antoine Semenyo charged down the right and cut the ball back to Cook, whose placed effort deflected off his own team-mate Dango Ouattara to completely deceive Ramsdale, as it diverted into the bottom right corner.
As Russell Martin’s Southampton side struggled to hold on to possession, and at times caused their own problems in defence, the hosts deservedly added a third.
Ghana winger Semenyo tormented several watching defenders before drilling a low effort into the left corner from the edge of the box.
While the game was effectively over as a contest at the break, Southampton did improve in the second period after the half-time introduction of Ross Stewart, Ben Brereton Diaz and Joe Aribo.
But, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis nodded home Mateus Fernandes' delivery from the left, it proved little more than a consolation for the visitors.
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Image source, ReutersSouthampton manager Russell Martin speaking to Premier League Productions:
"There was a lack of fight, lack of spirit, lack of courage, lack of intensity, lack of aggression - it was just unrecognisable for us. The response to a setback was so poor. It's really hurt me, the first-half performance.
"It's only on me, I obviously didn't prepare them well enough. Once you get over the emotion of the night and the hurt from the first half, you've got to learn from it.
"Now we have a choice to make - we either feel sorry for ourselves or we respond properly and work even harder to get better. That is a choice - and I trust we have enough characters in there and good guys in there to make the right choice."
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Graham Potter
Ex-Chelsea manager on Sky Sports
Image source, PA MediaIt is a great story.
Antoine Semenyo has had some ups-and-downs and had to suffer in the lower leagues - it is a great story for any young player.
Patience isn't the most abundant thing. He's used all his experience and now arrives in the Premier League in a humble way.
Southampton had to show a bit of fight and pride. They responded and got the goal and they will try to cling to those small little wins.
They're not mugs these guys - they are top players.
3-0 was a justifiable score with what Bournemouth did in that first half.
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I don't think Russell Martin is the problem here, it's players making basic mistakes, my fear is Southampton will do a Burnley.
Anon
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Bournemouth coach Tommy Elphick speaking to Premier League Productions:
"It was a game we built up to be quite big beforehand, we've put in quite a few performances this season and not got the points we've deserved so far, so I think the first half was definitely a representation of what we've been doing in spells.
"The tide turned a little bit in the second half, but Southampton are a good team and a tricky team.
"I thought it was a real squad effort."
On Evanilson: "He's a very different number nine to what we had last season. He plays in between centre-backs, he's very cute with his timing of runs, and I'm really pleased for him. He's been working really hard."
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Alan Smith
Former Arsenal forward on Sky Sports
In the first half there were worrying signs from Russell Martin's players and it was too much to make-up in the second half.
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Southampton have spent good money on Archer and Brereton Diaz - and yet they don't start. Our three Premier League goals have been scored by two defenders and 18-year-old Tyler Dibling. Martin has earned the right to manage this team in this league, but he needs to settle on a first XI fast and get them playing week-in and week-out. Someone needs to give this team some guts. Weak against Man Utd, weak to throw away three points against Ipswich, and weak in the first half tonight when it really counted.
Tim
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports
When a manager says, 'I didn't recognise my team' - that will hurt them.
Image source, ReutersFT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
More from Southampton manager Russell Martin, speaking to Sky Sports: "I have to question myself. I thought I made enough of a deal about how Bournemouth approach the game and how they are good at certain things but it looks like we were unprepared and considering the work we have done is crazy.
"I will never ever blame a group of players, we're together but I didn't like what I saw and am hurt by the lack of spirit and fight, that's nothing I've not told the team. It's my problem to sort out.
"I didn't identify my team in the first half in terms of attitude, spirit and fight. I didn't get this far as a player or a manager on just talent, it's about mentality and I've not passed that on enough to the players.
"At half time I asked if they could please show they wanted to run and fight for us as a group, the staff and for each other. At least they did that, and that takes a bit of courage, so I thank them for that but I shouldn't be thanking my team for fighting and running."
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, speaking to Sky Sports: "We have had two previous games here and we felt like we played well, but we didn't get the three points."
On the first goal: "We watched a couple of videos in the meetings in the week and we knew we could catch them out with quick free-kicks.
"Buzzing for Evanilson - he is going be a problem this year."
On his goal: "It felt wonderful. I wanted to create space and get a shot away.
"It rifled in the bottom corner, a great finish."
On his journey to the Premier League: "It has been so important. All those loans and tough moments - it has been part of my joruney. Here I am loving the game and playing in the best league in the world.
"I'm grateful."
On what Bournemouth can achieve: "The sky is the limit. We have such a good team and everyone is great. We just want to work hard and win games. We are going to cause a few problems this year."
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Southampton manager Russell Martin, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "It [the first goal] disrupts everything, not just concentration. We started really well with two good moments in the game.
"We showed the guys how Bournemouth like to play quick free-kicks, but we switched off in exactly the same way we did against [Manchester] United and we again didn't respond well after a set-back.
"I'm so hurt by the first-half performance after the first goal - I didn't recognise our team. Normally I'm proud of them for the courage they show, but there was no aggression, no courage, no intensity to play. They were in self-preservation mode on the pitch and the body language I didn't recognise.
"I didn't recognise them and I didn't like it one bit. In the second half we showed a lot of fight and courage but it was too late. It's on me to give them the tools to come back from a set back but we have not learned from the Manchester United game two weeks ago and that's a problem.
"We were soft. If you do not run and fight, make contact and take things personally then it's going to be a problem."
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Southampton. Don't panic. Take the Premier League money and the parachute payments next season, stick with Russell Martin and rebuild. History shows, a club is a yo-yo club until it isn't. There's no Warnock, Hodgson or Potter quick fix here. Let it breathe. Think long term.
Martin
Russell Martin is absolutely furious with his Southampton team, saying there was "no aggression, no courage, no intensity" in the first half. Full quotes to come.
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Graham Potter
Ex-Chelsea manager on Sky Sports
Image source, Getty ImagesYou can see Russell Martin is disappointed with the reaction after conceding the [first] goal.
That disappointment of the free-kick not going your way you cannot afford to turn your back and switch off.
From that moment they got effected too much and suffered.
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Shocking performance from Southampton tonight cannot believe that starting line-up knowing the games we have to come. I appreciate what Martin has done in getting us back up, but if this ownership group wants to remain in this league they should be giving David Moyes a call tonight to get him - Martin's out of his depth here.
Anon
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Image source, ReutersSouthampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz has now played 20 Premier League games without enjoying a victory (drawn five, lost 15), the most of any player in the history of the competition.
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier, speaking to Sky Sports: "Something we have been working on this week is getting the ball in play as quick as possible.
"We knew if we got the press right we would create chances. That's what we did in the first half.
"Massive [three points]. Coming back from two losses it was a big game for us today especially with it being a derby."
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Graham Potter
Ex-Chelsea manager on Sky Sports
Southampton started well but the first goal damaged them.
Bournemouth were worthy-winners. Credit to Southampton they comeback in the second half and played with a bit of pride.
In the end Southampton were beaten by the better side.
FT: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton
Bournemouth move up two places, above Manchester United and Brentford, from 13th to 11th. Southampton were heading bottom of the table, until they scored in the second half and stay 19th.
Brazilian striker Evanilson joined Bournemouth from Porto in a club record £40.2m deal
Bournemouth claimed a comfortable Premier League victory over south-coast rivals Southampton, whose dismal start to the campaign continued at Vitality Stadium.
The result lifts Bournemouth up to 11th in the table and the outcome rarely looked in doubt after club record signing Evanilson set the Cherries on their way - the Brazil forward reacting sharply to Marcus Tavernier’s quickly taken free-kick to prod the ball past Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
From that point Andoni Iraola’s side took full control against a Southampton team who are 19th, with just a solitary point to show from their first six games of the season.
With Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie dominating in midfield, the hosts doubled their lead.
Antoine Semenyo charged down the right and cut the ball back to Cook, whose placed effort deflected off his own team-mate Dango Ouattara to completely deceive Ramsdale, as it diverted into the bottom right corner.
As Russell Martin’s Southampton side struggled to hold on to possession, and at times caused their own problems in defence, the hosts deservedly added a third.
Ghana winger Semenyo tormented several watching defenders before drilling a low effort into the left corner from the edge of the box.
While the game was effectively over as a contest at the break, Southampton did improve in the second period after the half-time introduction of Ross Stewart, Ben Brereton Diaz and Joe Aribo.
But, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis nodded home Mateus Fernandes' delivery from the left, it proved little more than a consolation for the visitors.
Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton: Everybody deserved this result tonight - Elphick
As well as Bournemouth played to establish and extend their early advantage, they were also aided considerably by some naive and charitable Southampton defending.
And given that has been a recurring theme of Saints' return to the top flight after a one-year absence, it is only likely to add to the pressure on Martin.
Not only have his side managed a meagre three goals this term - the lowest in the Premier League - only Everton and Wolves have conceded more than the 12 goals they have shipped to date.
Harwood-Bellis was caught on his heels for Bournemouth's opener, with several of his team-mates not even facing the ball, let alone positioning themselves to prevent Tavernier's lofted delivery.
The visitors were also far too passive when dealing with Bournemouth's second and third goals.
Five defenders obscured Ramsdale's view but did little to get out to block Cook’s initial effort for the second, while the elusive Semenyo - a threat all game - was allowed to turn one way and then another by four Saints players before dispatching an effort that travelled through the legs of Harwood-Bellis on its way into the net.
Bournemouth will hope to use this performance and result as a stepping stone to better things when they travel to Leicester on Saturday (15:00 BST), with Iraola set to be back in the dugout after serving a touchline ban.
However, Southampton go to title hopefuls Arsenal with the daunting task of trying to arrest the form that has brought their joint worst ever start to a league campaign - they also one point at the same stage in 1998-99 in the top-flight, and stayed up.
Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton: Russell Martin - first half performance really hurt me
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 15 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 14 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 13 |
| |
| 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 13 |
| |
| 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| |
| 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 11 |
| |
| 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 10 |
| |
| 9 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 9 |
| |
| 10 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| |
| 11 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 8 |
| |
| 12 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 7 |
| |
| 13 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | -3 | 7 |
| |
| 14 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | -4 | 5 |
| |
| 15 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 4 |
| |
| 16 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 4 |
| |
| 17 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 3 |
| |
| 18 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 3 |
| |
| 19 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 12 | -9 | 1 |
| |
| 20 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 16 | -10 | 1 |
|
Manager: Tommy Elphick
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Russell Martin
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Tommy Elphick
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Russell Martin
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Having won their first Premier League home game against Southampton in March 2016, Bournemouth are now winless in their last five against Saints at the Vitality Stadium in the competition (D2 L3).
Southampton haven’t conceded a goal in any of their last three Premier League away games against Bournemouth – only against Swansea between 2013 and 2016 have they kept four consecutive clean sheets on the road in the competition.
Bournemouth have lost five of their last eight Premier League matches (W1 D2) – they had won five of their previous eight games beforehand (D1 L2).
Southampton have picked up just one point in their opening five Premier League matches in 2024-25, their fewest at this stage of a league season since 1998-99 when they had no points after five games.
Bournemouth have lost five of their seven Premier League games played on a Monday (W1 D1); among sides to play 5+ matches on this day of the week in the competition, their loss rate of 71% is the highest. Opponents Southampton, though, have lost 54% of their Monday matches in the Premier League (28/52), the highest rate of a side to play 20+ times on this day.
Southampton are winless in their last 18 Premier League matches (D5 L13) since a 1-0 win over Leicester City in March 2023. The last side to have a longer winless run were Norwich City between March 2020 and October 2021 (20 games).
Although Bournemouth suffered a 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last time out, they had 19 shots; that was the joint most by an away team in a Premier League game at Anfield that Opta has on record since 2003-04.
Southampton have conceded the most goals via corners (4) and set pieces (5) in the Premier League this season, while they are one of four teams – one of which is opponents Bournemouth – who are yet to score a set piece goal in 2024-25.
Adam Lallana assisted Tyler Dibling’s goal for Southampton against Ipswich Town last time out. Lallana is 17 years and 306 days older than Dibling, with that the biggest age gap between a goalscorer and assister since March 2006, when Teddy Sheringham set up Nigel Reo-Coker for West Ham against Wigan (18 years and 42 days older).
The two players who’ve conceded the most fouls in the Premier League this season are Bournemouth duo Justin Kluivert (15) and Lewis Cook (14). Those two players are responsible for 43% of the fouls the Cherries have committed this season (29/67).
