Southampton eased mounting strain on supervisor Ralph Hasenhuttl by climbing out of the Premier League relegation zone because of a nervy 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Che Adams’ early header proved decisive at Vitality Stadium as Saints ended a five-match winless run and saved a primary clear sheet in 17 top-flight video games, relationship again to April.
Bournemouth dominated the second half however created little throughout the night earlier than slipping to a primary defeat in seven video games beneath the steering of interim supervisor Gary O’Neil.
Southampton’s overdue victory lifted them to 14th, two factors and three locations under their hosts, whereas offering welcome respite for under-fire boss Hasenhuttl.
Saints travelled alongside the south coast with Hasenhuttl beneath intense scrutiny following 4 defeats and a draw from their final 5 outings which had plunged the membership into the drop zone.
The Austrian appeared agitated on the touchline throughout a frantic opening interval wherein possession regularly modified arms however quickly had motive to really feel barely extra relaxed.
Romain Perraud delivered an inviting first-time cross from the left after receiving the ball from Mohamed Elyounoussi and high scorer Adams escaped Marcos Senesi to divert a flicked header into the far nook to say his first purpose since August.
Hasenhuttl greeted the ninth-minute breakthrough by elevating his arms, clenching his fists and roaring with delight within the route of the jubilant travelling followers.
Bournemouth have been looking for to equal a membership report by extending their unbeaten run to seven top-flight video games however hardly ever threatened an equaliser earlier than the break because the end-to-end leisure continued.
Cherries midfielder Philip Billing compelled a routine diving save from Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, moments after Joe Aribo’s close-range poke was repelled on the different finish.
Despite Southampton supporters chanting ‘there’s just one south coast derby’ in reference to their rivalry with Portsmouth, there was loads of hostility within the contest between the close to neighbours.
Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham and Saints midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles have been every booked within the closing minutes of the half following a fiery head-to-head conflict sparked by a lunging problem from the previous.
The dwelling facet started the second half within the ascendancy, with Southampton pinned again and dropping deeper whereas looking for alternatives to counter.
Yet, regardless of the Cherries’ territorial benefit, Saints keeper Bazunu went untested as headed makes an attempt from Senesi and Dominic Solanke flew over.
Southampton survived passionate penalty appeals within the 74th minute after a cross from substitute Junior Stanislas struck the arm of defender Mohammed Salisu.
Adams then had a golden probability to seize his second and put the end result past doubt however his effort from one other Perraud centre was blocked by Adam Smith.
Bournemouth got 5 minutes of added time to chase a leveller however, after Salisu hacked off the road late on, grew to become the primary crew since Arsenal on April 16 to fail to score in a league recreation towards Southampton.
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