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Southampton 3-3 Bournemouth: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Thriller Confirms Saints Survival

​Southampton retained their Premier League status for next season with an entertaining 3-3 draw against south coast rivals Bournemouth at St. Mary's. 

The hosts were rewarded for their strong start with the opening goal on 12 minutes, as Shane Long netting his fourth goal in his last five games with a simple finish. Bournemouth, however, were level just eight minutes later with their first shot of the game, with Dan Gosling finishing off a devastating counter-attack.

Long then produced a miss of the season contender on 24 minutes, as he hit the post with the goal at his mercy. It was to be compounded five minutes later when Callum Wilson was first to react - after Angus Gunn could only palm David Brooks' strike into a dangerous area - to give the Cherries a half-time lead.


Southampton found themselves back on level terms ten minutes after the restart through James Ward-Prowse, who found the bottom corner from the edge of the area, before Matt Targett put the hosts ahead once again 12 minutes later with a firm header beyond Artur Boruc. 

Matt Targett

Despite appearing set for the three points, Bournemouth rallied in the latter stages, as Wilson grabbed his second of the game four minutes from time, as both teams finished with a share of the spoils. 


Here's our breakdown of this one.

SOUTHAMPTON

Key Talking Point​

Shane Long,Artur Boruc

Despite relinquishing the lead late on, it's a case of job done for Ralph Hasenhuttl, who secured Southampton's Premier League status for another season with the draw. 

It was a game that truly epitomised where the Saints are at under the Austrian, as they dominated the opening exchanges with an exuberance that was too much for the visitors, but still showcased lapses of concentration defensively.

What Hasenhuttl has installed in this side is a fight and will to win, which was emphasised with a turnaround of their own in the second-half, and it looked to be enough for the three points. 

In the end though they had to settle for one, but one proved to be enough and can now plan for another season in the top-flight. 

Player Ratings


Starting XI: Gunn (5); Valery (6), Bednarek (6), Stephens (5), Bertrand (6); Ward-Prowse (7), Romeu (5), Hojbjerg (6); Long (7), Ings (6), Redmond (7).  


Substitutes: Targett (7), Armstrong (5), Austin (N/A). 

​​STAR MAN

James Ward-Prowse

James Ward-Prowse led the second-half fightback for his side with a well-taken equaliser, as the academy graduate drove his side towards Premier League safety. 

He was calm and assured on the ball throughout, and could certainly look after himself in the tackle, as his play was laced with a fight to remain in the top-flight.  

BOURNEMOUTH 

Key Talking Point

Callum Wilson,Jan Bednarek

It's undoubted that Eddie Howe has quality in his Bournemouth side, getting them to perform consistently remains an issue. 

The opening 20 minutes of the first-half was one of their worst of the season, yet a dramatic turnaround, thanks in part to the change to a back four, saw them lead at the interval, yet found themselves trailing with a third of the game remaining. 

To their credit, they rallied one final time to earn a point, but it must be frustrating for those connected to the Cherries to see their side so consistently inconsistent, as they've now won just two of their last 12 league games. 

Player Ratings


Starting XI: Boruc (5); Clyne (5), Mepham (4), Cook (6), Ake (6), Simpson (6); Brooks (6), Gosling (7), Lerma (6); King (5), Wilson (8*).


Substitutes: Fraser (6), Hyndman (6), Solanke (5). 

STAR MAN

FBL-ENG-PR-SOUTHAMPTON-BOURNEMOUTH

Callum Wilson showed his class in the final third for the visitors, as he played his part in all three goals.

His first-time pass set up Gosling after 20 minutes, before scoring tap-ins either side of half-time, taking his tally to 14 league goals and nine assists, signifying his importance for Eddie Howe's side. 

The only disappointment for him was not sealing a hat-trick late on, but produced a tame finish that was simple enough for Gunn. 

​Looking Ahead

Southampton's penultimate game of the season is away to West Ham in a week's time.

Bournemouth meanwhile can have a say in who finishes in the top four as they host Champions League semi-finalists Tottenham next weekend.


Source : 90min