Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is top of Tottenham's list if they decide to replace Ange Postecoglou, who has been in charge since June 2023 but is under pressure following a poor run of results. (Talksport), external
Sam Davis
Fan writer
Image source, PA MediaAnother weekend ends victorious for Bournemouth, which now means the Cherries have only one defeat in their past 15 games. Very impressive indeed.
There are many factors enabling this run of form but, following the latest win, it feels as though the current midfield duo deserve some praise.
Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie were imperious again. They were first to everything against Southampton. Both were relentless throughout and Christie even managed to bag a glorious goal and assist too.
The pair are relatively new to being alongside one another in that midfield area. A host of injuries have meant Lewis Cook filling a full-back role, but even with his displacement, the midfield partnership has flourished.
Adams has struggled with injuries since joining the club. However, a proper run in the side is showing just why the club went after him. He has been a revelation.
As for Christie, he was brought to the club in the Championship under Scott Parker and played regularly as a right-winger. He was key to the promotion back to the top flight, but then once manager Gary O'Neil came in, he was left out of many starting XIs and sometimes omitted from matchday squads all together.
Andoni Iraola had other ideas, though, turning Christie into the complete central midfielder. He has been nothing short of spectacular there.
Will Cook go back into midfield once injuries have cleared somewhat? Will Alex Scott force a way in?
Regardless, it will give Iraola and the club some welcome headaches going forward.
Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external
Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen has a £50m release clause in his contract, which can be activated from this summer - with Liverpool among the clubs interested in the defender. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician
Bournemouth have undergone a transformation in front of goal this season and their finishing has gone from clumsy to clinical - with Andoni Iraola's side scoring 14 goals in their last five Premier League games.
In their first 16 games, up to and including their 1-1 draw with West Ham United on 16 December, their shot conversion rate was just 9%. Only Southampton, Crystal Palace, Everton and West Ham United were more wasteful in front of goal during that period.
The Cherries had also scored nine goals fewer than expected given the chances they created, making them the worst finishers when taking shot quality into account. Southampton were the next biggest xG underperformers, scoring six goals fewer than their xG.
In their last nine games, from the 3-0 win at Manchester United on 22 December onwards, their shot conversion rate has shot up to 15%. Only Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle have been more clinical in that time.
The Cherries have also scored five goals more than expected, given the chances they have created. Only Arsenal, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have overperformed their xG more in that time.
Maybe it is down to a personnel or tactical change from manager Andoni Iraola, or maybe it is just luck balancing itself out after a tricky start to the season...
Chris Wise
Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThere must be more than a few envious eyes at Southampton right now glancing along the coast at Bournemouth. After all, it was less than a decade ago when Saints were competing in European football. They're now hurtling back towards the Championship, and Bournemouth are quietly preparing themselves for the continent.
The Cherries' victory at St Mary's at the weekend was the first time they'd completed a league double over Southampton, and also provided us with the final piece of evidence that there's been a changing of the guard.
Bournemouth were just a level above Saints for large portions of the game. If they'd shown some ruthlessness, the margin of victory could have been far greater.
No-one at Bournemouth is going to openly say they're genuine European contenders, but they are. They've won 10 of their last 15 games in all competitions, are freely scoring on their travels, and are just a brilliantly coached side.
Bournemouth's consistency is everything Southampton crave right now.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Southampton and Bournemouth.
Here are some of your comments:
Southampton fans:
Freddie: It felt as if we've resolutely condemned ourselves to the Championship already. A distinct lack of quality, aside from Mateus Fernandes, makes me concerned we'll be in a League One relegation fight next season. Onwards and upwards!
Glenn: Ivan Juric used the Nathan Jones, Ruben Selles, Russell Martin tombola number picker rather than player picker. Did not play our best players in best positions! Defending abysmal and the match went pretty much as us Saints supporters predicted! The players must be pretty much devastated and depressed as I know I and many Saints fans are! Sports Republic is responsible with dire recruitment of managers and players!
James: In short, not clinical enough. I will say that the chances of Southampton staying up are slim at best. If Juric had been the manager from the start of the season, then he would've been able to form his own identity in regards to the team, then in terms of the season it might've been a different story and they could've had more of a chance of beating the drop.
Ryan: Another toothless performance. Professional display from Bournemouth but we didn't really give them too many problems to think about. Allowing the opposition to go 2-0 up early on never gives us the best platform to compete and our poor starts are just one of the things that need to be eradicated if we're to seriously bounce back next year at the first time of asking.
Bournemouth fans:
Mark: Wow, the Cherries dream of Europe continues. The spirit, the never say die attitude continues. The atmosphere was brilliant from the away fans - we all have the belief we will do this. It's no longer a dream, it's becoming a reality. Bring on European nights at the Vitality! Well done, Andoni, Bill and everyone connected to AFCB! What a time to be a Cherry.
Matt: A convincing victory over local rivals, and a welcome first double. Not too shabby for a side lacking any recognised striker. Players coming back from injury can only reinforce our European football credentials.
Simon: Brilliant to do the double over Saints for first time in our club's history. Christie was magnificent. It's great he scored one and got an assist too! Christie's shooting more recently but has been very unlucky with hitting the post. Cherries were clinical up top and did well to get a third when a short period of sloppy play in second half let an otherwise poor Saints back into the game. Important three points to keep the European football possibility alive!
Ben: The first half was all Bournemouth and we should have made even more of the chances we had. For 20 minutes in the second we seemed to take our foot off a bit and suddenly it was Southampton winning the second balls. When they scored it was a little nervy. But our third was well deserved and killed the game off - impact off the bench yet again. Being a Cherries fan at the moment is a bit of a dream.
Liverpool are bracing themselves for the potential departure of captain Virgil van Dijk in the summer and have added Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen to their shortlist of replacements. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Chelsea.
If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day after today's win: "I think it is a good win for us and it is always difficult to play away in the Premier League. We played very good in the first 45 minutes but it is true that when they scored there were some moments that were risky and we were suffering. But thankfully we got the third one which is good."
On Ryan Christie: "I am very happy for Ryan. He has played well almost every time and it is a good shot from the edge of the box and he scores. You can see the work he has put in there. It was lovely goal and he is in a very good moment also."
On the game: "We talked at half-time that we needed a third goal to finish this game. We had some good counters and through one of those we scored the third one and it was good."
On European football: "I don't care about the position right now. I continue with the same spirit. 43 points is a good amount but we need many more. We have to focus on the next games. Let's see where we are and later in the season we can look at the standings. It is early.
"We definitely deserve the results we are getting and this is not a given that you are going to perform the same way until the end. If we perform in the same way, we will be there and be close. But it is difficult to stay at this level until the end of the season."
Joe Nelson
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen Bournemouth beat Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's on Saturday, the gulf in quality between the two sides was clear.
Dango Ouattara and Ryan Christie struck in the first half and despite Kamaldeen Sulemana getting one back late on, the Saints were hit by a Marcus Tavernier sucker-punch.
The Cherries are dreaming of European football. Southampton are staring at the Premier League trap door.
Put simply, Bournemouth were just more clinical on the day.
Ouattara's glancing header gave Aaron Ramsdale no chance and Christie's shot had the former Cherries keeper well beaten. Tavernier's late effort similarly gave Ramsdale no chance.
Sulemana's goal was a tidy finish but such shows of quality were few and far between for a Southampton side who lack confidence.
Paul Onuachu did well to assist Sulemana but other than that, he struggled to hold the ball up against Bournemouth's defenders.
Second-half substitute Cameron Archer offered more penetration in the latter stages but even then, when he had got beyond the Cherries backline, he was denied at close range by Kepa.
Southampton's lack of cutting edge was juxtaposed by the devastating finishing on display by their south coast counterparts on Saturday afternoon.
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter 25 games of a top-flight season, only Sheffield United in 1975-76 (eight - 3 points/win) have accrued fewer points than Southampton's nine in 2024-25.
Bournemouth are unbeaten in each of their past seven away Premier League games (W5 D2), with their 22 points won on the road in 2024-25 their joint-most in a top-flight season (also 22 in 2015-16).
Image source, Getty ImagesBournemouth goalscorer Ryan Christie has been speaking after today's victory: "Buzzing. Big three points. It is a very and tough place to come. First half I thought we were top and maybe fell out of it at the start of the second half and thankfully Tav scored that goal."
On the first goal: "Dango is very good in the air and does brilliant to glance it. Buzzing for him to get another goal."
On his goal: "Not like me. Nice to get one and hopefully I can score a few more as well."
On how the game went: "We said at half-time we didn't want to give them anything. That's what is frustrating, The impact off the bench had been brilliant for us all season."
On Bournemouth's journey: "It has been amazing. We have done incredible up to this point. We want to be fighting for something between now and the end of the season. Results like today definitely help.
"From now on, for six or eight weeks we need to keep on the track we are at."
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Southampton's performance
What did you make of Bournemouth's display?
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.
Leicester City v Arsenal (12:30)
Aston Villa v Ipswich Town
Fulham v Nottingham Forest
Man City v Newcastle - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary
Southampton v Bournemouth
West Ham v Brentford
Crystal Palace v Everton (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary
All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
I'd be shocked if Bournemouth don't win this.
Even in the FA Cup against Burnley, Southampton could not give their home fans anything to cheer about. Dear me, what a depressing season this has been for them.
Saints would be better off finishing the campaign now - just packing up, shutting the ground down and looking forward to next season, or looking ahead to it, anyway - why would you be looking forward to it after such a dismal few months?
Bournemouth are well organised, have a good balance to their team and Justin Kluivert is on fire. They have quite a few injuries but you don't hear them complain do you? They just get on with it.
Sutton's prediction: 1-3
Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Southampton (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra could return from injury this weekend. Both players are "expected to train in the final session" but it is not yet known if they will be named in the squad. He added: "I expect at least one of them to make the trip with us."
He praised his players for "performing very well and giving the level we thought they had" over the past two months, which he believes contributed to their 11-game unbeaten run.
Bournemouth are expecting "a very different game" to when they played Southampton at Vitality Stadium earlier this season: "The way they played under Russell Martin was a completely different approach. You can see what the new manager wants to do. He has this kind of system that a lot of Italian teams play, and it isn't easy to play against."
On the changes that Ivan Juric has made at Saints, Iraola added: "They press a lot off the ball. They go to man-mark and I don't expect us to be comfortable on the ball. We will do the same, so I think it's going to be a big fight in the middle. Their approach on the ball is much more direct now, especially to Paul Onuachu and other players up front."
More on the match against the fellow south coast side, who are battling relegation as the Cherries push for Europe: "It's a game our supporters want to win, for sure. It must be the same for them. The most important thing is the points, especially considering the standings."
When asked about being in a good position to secure European football for next season, Iraola replied: "We are not there yet. We would like to be there, not today but in two months when you are literally playing for the final standings. For now, we are just trying to add points."
He feels the Cherries have not had to "depend on one player or one striker" this season, despite Justin Kluivert scoring six goals in six games.
On the Dutch forward regularly being compared with his father, Patrick, he added: "He uses it in a positive way. It helps that his father is a coach and he understands the other side of the job. He uses his father's advice very well and he is very proud of him. I think he enjoys when we compare them. He doesn't see it in a way of adding more pressure, he focuses it in a proper way."
Follow all Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Tottenham are all interested in signing 24-year-old Brazilian winger Igor Paixao from Feyenoord. (Sun), external
The Cherries are yet to open negotiations with manager Andoni Iraola, with the 42-year-old Spaniard set to enter the final year of his contract after the end of the current season. (Mail - subscription required), external
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on what's the one thing no-one is talking about at Bournemouth.
Here are some of your comments:
Mark: The fact that, given this season's league results and our current form, we could make a strong argument for being third favourites to win the FA Cup!
Ken: It's got to be the FA Cup. There has never been a better chance. If Andoni Iraola takes it seriously, it can happen.
John: It has been a really good season to date. They are doing exactly what I have been saying for a couple of seasons now, upping their all-round fitness levels so they can press and retreat without getting too tired and not playing Philip Billing regularly who was the weak link. Even selling Dom Solanke hasn't changed the resolve Iraola has instilled into the squad. If they get into Europe, they will need to strengthen the squad as playing midweek abroad and league matches at the weekend will take its toll. Hopefully, they can keep players and add quality.
Bernard: A great time for us supporters as the players are doing us proud. However, what is not talked about is the great work being done by the backroom staff and scouts who continue to find little gems and bring them to the academy, thus assuring a healthy future - not just immediate but also for the long term.
Clive: The success of the women's team reflects the feel-good factor generated by the men's team. Bournemouth is a good place for players to learn and grow.
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Sport pundit and former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has been answering your questions on your club.
Abbass asked: Do you think Bournemouth will make European football at the end of season?
Nedum replied: That is a cracking question. I think because of the injuries they have, it feels like they are stretched to the point of having no significant cover. Yet the results are still falling their way.
It is the same for any team around them, in the sense that if they can carry on picking up points in this stage of the season where there is a sense of desperation with any team you meet, then they are in with a very good chance.
They have the ability to win games at home and on the road, while making teams feel really uncomfortable. It is tough to say.
It will also depend on the permutations of who wins competitions this season and whether extra European places will be available.
They could win the FA Cup, for example, and then they wouldn't need to depend on the Premier League or the winners of other European spots. Bournemouth should have the belief that they can go on and win that this season.
It is a credit to them, their club and the way it is run if they can book a place in a European competition because if you didn't have true stability or a desire to improve then they would never have given themselves this opportunity.
The season Liverpool won the Premier League was the year Bournemouth got relegated, and now here they are going toe to toe with some of the best teams in world football.
For a club their size, and because of the way they have progressed through the divisions over the years, it would be huge if they could do it. But if they don't then what an incredible season it has been so far for them.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford
