Dango Ouattara, Ryan Christie and Marcus Tavernier were all on the scoresheet as Bournemouth comfortably beat struggling Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday (Feb 15). Bournemouth moved up to fifth in the standings with 43 points from 25 matches, while Southampton remain bottom with nine points. Bournemouth are just one point behind champions Manchester City, who are fourth.
Goals from Dango Ouattara, Ryan Christie and Marcus Tavernier sealed victory for Bournemouth at Southampton and moved them up to fifth in the Premier League.
The south coast sides are on different trajectories this season, evidenced as Andoni Iraola's team scored twice in the first half to put themselves in control at St Mary's.
Ryan Christie's cross was headed in by Ouattara, who is proving himself as a striker in the absence of injured duo Evanilson and Enes Unal, before Christie fired past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from the edge of the box.
Kamaldeen Sulemana set up a tense end to the match by halving the deficit in the 72nd minute, but Tavernier struck to sink the Saints and ensure the Cherries leapfrog Newcastle and Chelsea.
Bournemouth dominated for much of the game but did not have to be at their scintillating best to defeat a Saints side who, for all their endeavour, lacked confidence.
After Christie's cross was glanced in by an unmarked Ouattara, the hosts gave the ball away on the edge of their own box and the Scotland midfielder punished them with a fine finish beyond Ramsdale.
The England keeper kept the deficit to two with remarkable stops from Semenyo – following a superb run – and Christie, before Sulemana gave the home side hope with a low drive.
Despite the boost his goal gave the Saints, they lacked the cutting edge to capitalise and were hit on the break by a devastating Tavernier finish.
Southampton remain rooted to the foot of the table, 10 points from safety.
