Bournemouth 3 – 1 Southampton

Bournemouth secured their second Premier League win of the season with a 3-1 home win over south coast rivals Southampton.

First-half goals from Evanilson, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo put Bournemouth in full control after 45 minutes at the Vitality Stadium, with Saints pulling a goal back through Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the second half.

The win lifts Bournemouth up to 11th, with newly promoted Southampton stuck in 19th place and still looking for their first league win of the season.

Southampton threatened early on with Maxwel Cornet’s effort deflected in, before Kepa Arrizabalaga got down well to save from former Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser.

But Bournemouth took the lead with a clear opener, from a quick-fire free kick after Flynn Downes had beaten Semenyo on Southampton’s left flank. As the ball died, Marcus Tavernier put the ball over the top for Evanilson to latch onto and volley past Aaron Ramsdale.

Bournemouth scored their second after the half hour mark. Tavernier was again involved in the build-up, passing to Semenyo who switched the ball inside for Lewis Cook to take, with Ouattara getting a vital touch to nick the ball past Ramsdale from close range.

Cherries didn’t have to wait long for their third as Semenyo rattled the Southampton defense in the left corner of the area before turning home right-footed Ramsdale and into the corner.

Southampton responded by making three substitutions at the interval, Joe Aribo, Ross Stewart and Ben Brereton Diaz coming on for Lesley Ugochukwu, Fraser and Cornet.

The change had an immediate impact with the Saints needing less than five minutes to pull a goal back, Harwood-Bellis setting himself up well to bend in and head home Fabrice Fernandes’ cross for his first Premier League goal.

Stewart headed over the bar before fellow substitute Brereton Diaz flashed a corner effort, while at the other end Evanilson wasted the chance to double his tally after being played through when he shot straight at Ramsdale.

Ryan Christie then shone, before Luis Sinisterra missed the chance to add four for Bournemouth when his shot was saved by Ramsdale in added time.

Martin: I don’t know our team – we are soft!

Southampton manager Russell Martin toward Sky Sports:

“I was very hurt by the performance of the first half after the first goal. I did not recognize our team. I am usually proud of them for the courage they showed but there was no aggression and no courage, no intensity to play. Looking at me I saw a mode of self-preservation in field.

“I don’t understand his body language. I don’t like it one bit. In the second half, he showed a lot of fight and courage that it was too late.

“I was really hurt and disappointed in the first half. I need to give myself some tools to respond to setbacks better than we did.

“We obviously haven’t learned from the setback in the Manchester United game which is a problem.

“We were soft, so forget the style of play. If you don’t want to run, fight and make contact, take things personally – we didn’t come out with the ball in the first half – then it will be a problem.”

Semenyo: We know that we can catch the saint

Bournemouth wing player Antoine Semenyo has had a hand in 10 goals in his last 20 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth (eight goals and two assists).

On Bournemouth’s first goal, Semenyo told Sky Sports: “We watched a few videos in the meeting during the week and realized that we can catch with free kicks very quickly.

“It was quick thinking from Tav (Tavernier) and a good finish from Evan (Evanilson). I’m buzzing for him and he will be a problem for the team this season.”

On his own form and ability to play with his right and left foot, Semenyo said: “I have been training all my life and I am blessed to be able to play with both feet.”

The story of the match in statistics…

What’s next for the Premier League?