Bournemouth

Sam Davis
Fan writer

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Bournemouth's relationship with Southampton is strange.

With the Saints' traditionally having a rivalry with Portsmouth, any kind of irritation with the Cherries has been minimal over the years.

They will often be quick to reference the fact they "saved" our club by putting money in buckets back in the 90s when the Dorset side was on its knees, plus, whisper it, some of them even used to cheer a Bournemouth win when the half-time scores were being read out at the Dell.

Being in separate divisions for most of our lifetimes is another reason why our Hampshire friends find it very difficult to even call the fixture a "derby". However, there is a growing sentiment to the west of the New Forest that the fixture is gaining traction from increased amount of needle - not least because we have now played each other 17 times in the past 14 years.

If you go back that many games with their Portsmouth rivalry, you would be in 1974 - so the question stands... should Bournemouth be taken more seriously by St Mary's match-goers?

Invariably, most of them will say no but, as the trajectory of both clubs changes, there is certainly more relevance to the fixture, especially given both often find themselves in the same league.

Perhaps Saints do not want the indignity of it being referred to as a rivalry, indeed for them, it is probably convenient that it is not one. Ultimately though, whatever its status, Bournemouth fans only care about results on the pitch, and after demolishing them on Monday, there is a definite feeling the tide is turning.

Either way, with Bournemouth up to 11th and Southampton deep in the relegation zone, Cherries fans can happily park the constant prodding of our "rivals" for another few months.

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Ben Phillips, from Back of the Net Bournemouth podcast, says he is "happy with the slow improvements" the team are making in the Premier League and a top half finish should be the aim for Andoni Iraola's side.

The Cherries, who finished 12th last season with a record-total of 48 points, registered their second win of this term convincingly against Southampton on Monday.

"I did expect the result because we have got the measure of Martin's teams," said Phillips on BBC Radio 5 Live. "Teams that play out from the back suit us.

"To build on where we were last season, so maybe 10th and 50 plus points, should be the aim for this season now. The quality of the Premier League is better this year so to break into Europe would be too much of a feat. I am just happy with slow improvements.

"You can tell we are going in the right direction on and off the pitch."

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We asked for your thoughts after Bournemouth's impressive 3-1 victory over Southampton on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: For 30 minutes we blew Southampton away and, for once, scored the goals our play deserved. Semenyo got the deserved headlines while Christie and Cook controlled the middle as they often do. Southampton were never going to be so poor second half and at times threatened to make a game of it - but we still could have added more.

Simon: A great night to be a Cherries supporter. Clinical finishing for a change while dominating the game at the same time. Good to see Evanilson score his first goal for the club after his penalty miss against Chelsea. A solid start to the season playing attractive and exciting football.

Jon: We completely controlled the game. Great to see Evanilson notch his first goal - hopefully that will be the first of many. Went into cruise control a little in the second half, but Southampton still posed little threat. A tough few games coming up, but if we can play like we have been at spells this season, then who knows what is possible.

Mark: Outstanding Cherries, still pinch myself we are Premier League, but we now look a quality, established team in one of the best leagues in the word. Southampton looked terrible. The gap from Championship to Premier League is getting bigger, as is the gap between us and Southampton now. Top 10 this year for the Cherries. Saints will be lucky to get 10 points!

Clive: It could have been more but we will take that. Evanilson's acceleration over a few yards is astonishing. Playing to his strengths will see him score more goals. Onwards and upwards, and we might scare Arsenal and Manchester City in the home games to come.

Ethan: Amazing.

Dan George
BBC Sport journalist

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Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook said he knew team-mate Antoine Semenyo could go to "another level" after his performances last season.

The winger scored in the Cherries' 3-1 victory over Southampton on Monday, his third in the Premier League this campaign.

"As a team, we knew the quality he has and we saw that last year. He's got to just keep working hard - being aggressive and being clinical," said Cook.

"He's got a lot better at running back and helping out the team too. He's a powerful lad and has all the ability in the world. Hopefully he can continue to show that."

All the hard work was done in the first half for Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth, who went into the break three goals to the good.

Cook thought he had scored his side's second in the game when his shot was deflected into the back of the net but it turned out his effort had gone in off team-mate Dango Ouattara.

Cook scored in Bournemouth's 3-2 win over Everton in August and picked up two assists in Monday's game.

"This season I've realised I’ve got more of a licence to make the box when the other midfielder is deeper," Cook added.

"It's something I’ve not really thought about in past seasons and I feel I get there and make a difference.

"I'm trying to be more consistent. I'm still finding my way and rhythm but I just need to build on each performance."

Did you know?

• Semenyo has had a hand in 10 goals in his past 20 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth (eight goals, two assists).

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Bournemouth assistant coach Tommy Elphick spoke about goalscorer Evanilson after Monday's victory over Southampton: "When you come with such a price tag and you're trying to fill the boots of someone who's served the club so well, there's always pressure with that.

"But there's no surprise to us. There's been a little bit of noise outside, but the way he's been training, what we've seen daily, it's not a surprise that he's got the type of goal that he's got.

"It's a [team] performance that's been coming. The first 45 minutes was electric from our point of view."

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

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Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo scored one first-half goal and played a big part in creating another to help his side to a convincing 3-1 home victory.

He has now had a hand in 10 goals in 20 Premier League appearances (eight goals and two assists) and his speed and trickery was simply too much for a porous Southampton defence to cope with on Monday evening.

The Ghana international was a threat throughout and tormented Saints left-back Charlie Taylor in the build-up to the Cherries second.

He then scored the goal that his industry deserved - twisting several opposition players inside out before dispatching a right-foot shot into the far corner.

With explosive pace, tight control and match-winning capabilities, the £10m fee the paid to Bristol City in January 2023 for his services looks an increasingly shrewd bit of business.

Should he deliver more performances of this nature he is likely to attract plenty of other admirers.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?, external

Have your say on Southampton's performance, external

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week six, he takes on Maximo Park singer Paul Smith, whose latest album, Stream Of Life, is out on Friday.

Bournemouth host Southampton at 20:00 on Monday.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

I can't see past Bournemouth here. I actually think they carry a threat, even when they were being hammered in the first half against Liverpool.

I just feel like they will have too much firepower for Southampton, who were desperately unlucky not to hold on and beat Ipswich last week.

Saints are another team who desperately need that first win, but they are not getting it here.

Paul's prediction: It is hard to back against a Bournemouth home win. Again it feels like they are one of those sides like Brentford who play some good stuff and they are not necessarily rewarded for it. 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Earlier, we asked you for the two players who have scored more than 40 goals in the Premier League for Bournemouth.

Josh King netted 48 top-flight goals for Bournemouth, while Callum Wilson scored 41 times in the Premier League for the Cherries.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Southampton (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He is "disappointed" to be serving a touchline ban for the game: "We cannot change it. They told me that with yellow cards, you cannot appeal them. That is something that doesn't happen in Spain. Over there you can do it."

• Team news is "difficult" to assess because the fixture is still three days away, but "right now" he expects his whole squad to be available apart from longer-term absentee Tyler Adams.

• He praised Saints youngster Tyler Dibling, who has featured in all five Premier League games this season: "He looks very good. He has made the difference in some games. It's not usual to play like this when you are 18 years old. He is one of the threats."

• On having his first opportunity to experience the rivalry between the Cherries and Southampton: "I'm sure this is a game our supporters want to win, and their supporters probably feel the same way. It is a derby - a game that everybody always wants to win. Considering the standings, I think it's a very important game for us."

• He refused to accept the idea that Southampton are relegation favourites this early on in the season: "We have been relegation favourites for the past two seasons, no? I think it's very early to make conclusions. They did a very good job last season - it is always difficult to get promoted."

• On what he expects from Russell Martin's side, he added: "It looks like an exciting game. It will be a demanding one, but I think we are training well and ready for it. I'm sure they will be a good team. I don't see weak teams in the Premier League."

• Bournemouth are going to have to get points in "every game we play against a non-European team" if they are to show signs of improvement this season. Iraola added: "These kinds of games are definitive. Every time you play, you have to take the most you can."

• He is "happy" with only two teams having more shots than his side in the Premier League this season, but he stressed: "We aren't being efficient enough. My experience in football is that if you continue doing these things, then you get the reward. But it isn't guaranteed, so we need to demand more in the final third."

• On whether he was personally interested in bringing goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale - who joined Southampton from Arsenal - back to Vitality Stadium this summer: "No, not that I know. I think he is a very good goalkeeper. I don't know him personally, but everyone here speaks very positively about him. I hope he doesn't have one of his best days against us."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Can you name the two players who have scored more than 40 goals in the Premier League for Bournemouth?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST

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There has been a lot of conversation this week about "dark arts" in football following the draw between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday.

Realistically, everyone who has watched football for longer than one game has seen things they would perceive as "dark arts"; whether it is a player always going down winning free-kicks to take the sting out of the game, kicking the ball into row Z when there was no multi-ball system or time-wasting on goal-kicks.

These are things we see all the time but our perception of it is dependent on the context of a game. You always see some version of it somewhere, and you hope your team would be doing the same thing if in the same situation - because why should you do something that would benefit the opposition you are against?

It is the same as going down a bit more easily to win penalties - some people will say "this guy is a cheat", but then on the other side of their mouth, if it is something that could benefit them, they say "he has tried too hard to stay up, he needed to go down there".

You can have rulings, Ifab can get involved to change this and that, but there will always be a way to push the rules to their limits.

What we saw with Arsenal in that game, where David Raya sat down to get some treatment while the teams gathered, we have seen those moments before. It is not just new to Arsenal - other teams do it.

It is always based on certain moments. You do get more frustrated if it happens against you, but when you need to do it, you encourage people to do it. That is one of the beauties of football - the way you see things is always going to be down to perception, context and just whether you think it is benefiting you or not.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright

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Former Southampton and Bournemouth defender Kevin Bond says he expects Monday night's south coast derby between the two sides to be a "tight" game.

Saints are still searching for their first win since returning to the Premier League while the Cherries are looking to respond after back-to-back defeats at home to Chelsea and last time out at Liverpool.

"I think it will be tight," Bond told the Saints and Sinners podcast. "With the exception of Liverpool, in all of Bournemouth's games they've been right in it. Five points from their first five games - they look all right for me to be fair. I thought the comeback against Everton after being two down was terrific. I thought that would have done them the world of good.

"Sitting here right now I don't fear for Bournemouth, I do a little bit for Southampton though. It will be a tight game, they always are, and a good occasion. I wouldn't want to call it at the moment."

As a player, Bond represented the Cherries in the old second and third divisions and went on to manage the club in League One and briefly in League Two between October 2006 and September 2008 during a period of deep financial struggle at the club which saw a series of heavy points deductions.

Now an established Premier League team with aspirations of consistent top half finishes, Bond is impressed with Bournemouth's rise and believes they have possibly overtaken their South Coast rivals.

"It's remarkable where Bournemouth have come from," he said. "But, through the previous and current owner, they have bought well, they pay players well and pay big money for them players. That doesn't necessarily guarantee you anything and Bournemouth have spent well.

"It wasn't until recent years that Bournemouth have been, quite literally, in the same league as Southampton and now they've arguably overtaken them.

"In truth, it is very much is a derby now."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport senior journalist

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It is nearly time for the derby-that-isn’t-a-derby, as Southampton cross the New Forest to visit Bournemouth in front of the TV cameras on Monday evening.

Lacking a two-way rivalry anywhere, Bournemouth fans will be looking for local bragging rights, while their Saints counterparts painstakingly insist that the Cherries are not their rivals, and will never replace arch-foes Portsmouth in that respect.

Geography aside, two visiting players can expect extremely different receptions at Vitality Stadium on Monday after both joined Southampton during the transfer window.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale remains popular with Bournemouth’s fans, many of whom would happily have re-signed him from Arsenal this summer before his move to St Mary’s. Ramsdale was the supporters’ player of the year during the 2019-20 relegation season, still owns a house in Bournemouth and had often been back to watch the Cherries while he was at Arsenal.

Ramsdale can expect as warm a welcome as that afforded to ex-Bournemouth favourite Matt Ritchie when he returned with Newcastle in recent years – but the same cannot be said for another ex-Newcastle winger, Ryan Fraser.

The diminutive Scot remains top of the “unforgiven” list among Bournemouth’s followers for his actions during that same 2019-20 season.

While Ramsdale was winning hearts and minds amid a relegation battle, Fraser famously refused to sign an extension to his contract to cover the end of the Covid-extended campaign.

So there were few tears shed in Dorset 18 months ago when Fraser found himself banished to Newcastle’s Under-21 squad by Eddie Howe, the manager for whom he had refused to sign that extension, and the home supporters are probably relishing the chance to make their feelings known if Fraser features on Monday.

Another man with less than happy memories of Vitality Stadium will be Saints boss Russell Martin, whose two previous visits as an opposition manager in 2021 were both heavy defeats (losing 5-0 with Milton Keynes in the League Cup, and 4-0 with Swansea in the Championship).

But both sides will feel under pressure, with Southampton still seeking that first league win, and Bournemouth, having lost to Chelsea and Liverpool, targeting two winnable games against Saints and Leicester before the next international break.

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

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It has been back to back defeats for AFC Bournemouth, which many people anticipated, especially given that the opponents that we faced were two of the 'big boys' in Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.

With Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City all to play in the next five games, the importance of Bournemouth’s next two fixtures feels colossal. The gap between the sides in the European competitions and the rest of the pack is seismic at the best of times so, without wanting to sound disrespectful, games coming up against Southampton and Leicester City feel monumental for the Cherries if they want to progress.

Performances have been impressive on the whole, but there’s a clear level of quality and a clinical edge in both boxes that Bournemouth just do not seem to have right now. Therefore, getting the job done and earning valuable points against those beneath us could be the key to moving forward.

Valiant displays against three of last season's top seven already is one thing, but only mounting a single point from those matches possibly indicates where we are at. If we want to build on last season's 12th placed finish, we really need to put those teams beneath us to the sword.

All of the games this season have been an absorbing watch, and it's no surprise the TV companies have no qualms with showing us live, but while the brand of football has gone down well with match-going Bournemouth fans, turning the entertainment into points is also just as important.

Only time will tell how things pan out, but the majority of Bournemouth fans still remain confident and optimistic for the season ahead.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Stuart: Liverpool put the game to bed in the first half with an imperious display. Caiomhin Kelleher made some incredible saves while deputising for Alisson. Darwin Nunez worked hard and got a nice reward with his goal. Hopefully he can bag another couple against West Ham in midweek!

Alison: A good result, but it was not as easy as it looked. We made problems for ourselves in the first half. If Bournemouth could finish, it might have been a different story and they played well in the second half. Good luck to them for the rest of the season.

Rae: Luis Diaz is on fire. The midfield of Dominic Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Gravenberch seems to be clicking. We have so many options up front. You never know, there might be silverware at some point this season.

Cyrus: Where is the weakness in this team? The midfield was the final fix required post-Jordan Henderson and Fabinho and Slot's double pivot has fixed it. Gravenberch's arrival might be the difference between contenders and champions.

Bournemouth fans

Charl: Andoni, we can't expect to win every game but sometimes just don't lose! Playing Evanilson was pointless - it would have been far better to play stronger players in midfield to prevent the carnage that occurred and gain some confidence from a draw or narrow defeat. All of that said, you have my total support.

Sudha: They played very well. The scoreline doesn't reflect how well they played!

Tom: A 3-0 defeat is still a defeat. We have got lots to learn and not much time to do it in.

Alec: The whole game was thrown away by a ridiculous goalkeeping error for the first goal. Why play a Chelsea reject when we have a better goalkeeper on the bench?

Ben: It was a shame but we were not good enough. We truly believed at one point that we would be playing European football soon. We really need some promising performances against Southampton and Leicester now.

Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth

• Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United

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Bournemouth have won just one of their last eight Premier League games (D2 L5), with only Wolves (seven) losing more in the competition since the beginning of May.

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Bournemouth thought they had made the perfect start at Anfield when Antoine Semenyo slid home Justin Kluivert's low cross with only five minutes on the clock, only for their celebrations to be cut short by the video assistant referee.

Semenyo kept Kelleher busy in the first half as the Cherries registered 19 attempts for the second successive Premier League game - but they were far too open at the other end as Liverpool cut them open at will.

A Luis Diaz double and a Darwin Nunez stunner gave the hosts a 3-0 half-time lead, making the second-half a mere damage limitation exercise for Iraola's team.

Bournemouth, to their credit, continued to create chances after half-time and went close to a consolation when Luis Sinisterra headed against the crossbar late on, but there was no way back.

To make matters worse, Iraola will now miss next Monday's game against Southampton after picking up a first-half yellow card for remonstrating with the officials.

It was a day to forget for the Cherries, but results like this will not define their season.