Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from St. Mary's Stadium
Bournemouth took a significant step towards Premier League survival with a precious 1-0 win which pushed south-coast rivals Southampton closer to relegation.
Marcus Tavernier claimed the Cherries’ second-half winner at a soggy St Mary’s to move the Cherries seven points clear of the drop zone and pile further pressure on the division’s bottom club.
Beleaguered Saints thought they had snatched a dramatic 89th-minute equaliser but Che Adams’ effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
The hosts lacked attacking thrust and urgency for much of a miserable evening as they slipped to a club-record 11th home league defeat of the season following a largely-feeble display.
Ruben Selles’ side, who lost captain James Ward-Prowse to illness at half-time, go into their final five games of a dismal campaign six points from safety and with lingering hopes of survival fading fast.
A painful defeat to their near neighbours stretched Saints’ alarming winless run to eight games to eradicate any positivity generated by Friday’s thrilling 3-3 draw at leaders Arsenal.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
Substitution James Michael Edward Ward-Prowse Lyanco Evangelista Silveira Neves Vojnović
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth have the advantage in terms of points on the board and so you suspect they will be the happier of the two teams as things stand. For Southampton, this may represent the easiest of their remaining games this season and Selles must surely be demanding a massive second-half performance from his side if they are to keep alive ambitions of a dramatic escape from the bottom three.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
A rather tepid end to the first half at Saint Mary's and it remains goalless between Southampton and Bournemouth at the break. It was a fast start from both sides as Armstrong struck the post from a tight angle before the away side saw Vina's goal ruled out by VAR after Solanke was caught in an offside position. Since then both sides have huffed and puffed but rarely threatened the keepers. A spattering of boos break out as the whistle goes and the home fans know their side will need to be better to get a much-needed goal in the second half.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
There will be three minutes of added time to end this first half.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
Half-hearted appeals ring out from a few Bournemouth players as the ball bounces off Maitland-Niles' chest and flicks his arms. There is a brief VAR check but no penalty is given.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
The game has slowed down significantly as we approach the break. You suspect both sides would be happy to end the half level.
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