Few doubted the great difficulty encountered by Russell Martin at Southampton this season. This lesson of superiority on the south coast only confirmed it. If the Saints manager has credit in the bank, his team’s inability to learn from their mistakes is starting to show.
The best that can be said of saints is that there can be some safety in numbers. It was the last chance for the promoted teams to secure a victory in the first six rounds of the Premier League.
Bournemouth had won once in their previous nine matches, but they were a class above, and although they faltered in the second half as the Saints, with much of the pressure lifted, went into the match, they always kept a hazard on the counter.
Two noble managers, neither willing to press the pragmatism button, clashed, and it was pressure that prevailed over possession. Before kick-off, Martin walked towards the away fans with his arms spread in recognition. Andoni Iraola, who was serving a suspension, was confined to the stands for a much-loved first home victory of the season that propelled his team above Manchester United.
Ryan Fraser, the former local hero turned hated Covid refusenik, was booed at every touch. Southampton supporters marked their indifference to Bournemouth by declaring their rivalry with Portsmouth the only “south coast derby”. With five forwards on the Saints bench, 18-year-old Tyler Dibling led the attack with a false 9 and his team actually started better. Maxwel Cornet saw a shot deflected behind, with Fraser also digging in as the ball fell.
Southampton’s Achilles heel all season has been the vulnerability of possession and the lack of care and attention after loss. Bournemouth’s first goal followed the pattern. Charlie Taylor’s hoick from left-back found its way to Antoine Semenyo, and when Flynn Downes fouled the winger, Marcus Tavernier’s quickly taken free-kick found Evanilson. After five games without a goal, including a fateful missed penalty against Chelsea, the Brazilian made no mistake. His £40m fee and £15m profit from the simultaneous sale of Dominic Solanke have received their first deposit.
Spitting possession is not recommended against Bournemouth, who attack in numbers. As the first half progressed, Southampton were unable to play the possession game prescribed by Martin as Bournemouth pressed the game. Defense also became problematic. Semenyo burst into the box, checked and Lewis Cook’s shot deflected off Dango Ouattara and beyond Ramsdale, the scorer put into play by the ball-watching Saints.
Semenyo, crawling now, having roasted Taylor for that second, then turned Lesley Ugochukwu inside out and drilled a low shot past Ramsdale’s wingspan. The away team’s lead had dwindled, despite Martin’s constant exhortations from the bench. Bournemouth, on five attempts, four of which were on target, were ruthless in exposing their team.
The fact that Fraser was one of Martin’s three half-time changes made the home fans happy, with Ugochukwu and Cornet joining him. Beyond Dibling, most of the starting XI deserved the hook after that horrible half hour, and two forwards arrived in Ben Brereton Díaz and Ross Stewart, with Joe Aribo adding a touch in midfield as Dibling headed towards the right flank. Was a very improbable takeover planned? Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ lowered header gave the visitors hope.
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While Laser Yellow jerseys were pouring in, a return was not out of reach. Martin, whose voice was now in pieces, and his assistants were hunched over their notebooks looking for another rung to climb back into the game. His team began to enjoy dominance in possession, Bournemouth and their fans n were no longer so sure of themselves.
Bournemouth sent Justin Kluivert in place of Ouattara and Southampton’s ascendancy began to wane. Semenyo might have ended the fight, but he walked away after another drastic move. Cook then intercepted in midfield and sent the ball straight to Evanilson, this time unable to beat Ramsdale. Martin then sent on Adam Lallana, the returning veteran who had 20 minutes to salvage a result.
Lallana fired an effort wide, but the best chances fell to Bournemouth, with Ryan Christie shooting off target and Luis Sinisterra forcing a save from Ramsdale. Although the Saints showed progress, it wasn’t enough for this game or the challenges ahead.
