Southampton relieved the pressure on boss Ralph Hasenhuttl with their first win in six games against south-coast rivals Bournemouth, who lost for the first time under interim manager Gary O’Neil.
It is hard to remember a time when pressure was not on Hasenhuttl, who has been in charge of the Saints since December 2018, but his side seem to grind out results when required and this was another example of that.
Che Adams’ first-half glancing header, after a left-wing cross from full-back Romain Perraud, was their first away goal in four games and ultimately proved enough as the Saints won for the first time since 30 August.
Perhaps more importantly, and certainly more encouragingly for the remainder of the season, they kept their first clean sheet in 17 games, dating back to 16 April last season.
They invited pressure from Bournemouth after the goal, but the hosts, who were unbeaten in six games under the guidance of O’Neil, failed to really test Republic of Ireland international Gavin Bazunu in the Saints’ goal.
The result lifts Southampton to 14th, two points clear of the relegation zone, while Bournemouth sits 11th.
Hasenhuttl has spent most of the season among the bookmakers’ favourites to be sacked – he sat second below Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard before kick-off – but on this evidence, his players are still playing for him.
They were well organised at the back, with Croatia international Duje Caleta-Car impressing on his second start since joining from Marseille this summer.
Hasenhuttl spoke about Caleta-Car’s leadership being integral in his pre-match interview and that was evident with the 26-year-old showing composure throughout, alongside making a crucial block to deny Phillip Billing in the second half.
Going forward the Saints had energy with Adams and Adam Armstrong, but they often lacked quality, with Joe Aribo’s toe-poked effort, saved by the outstretched feet of Neto, the closest they came to a second goal.
That chance was set up by the impressive Kyle Walker-Peters at right-back, but he went off injured in the second period, which will put a dampener on three important points.
O’Neil has done a remarkable job for Bournemouth since taking over the reins from Scott Parker, winning two games and drawing four, and you could see the confidence in his side as they tried to match their best unbeaten run in the top flight.
But they too showed a lack of quality in the final third, with Billings’ drive from 22 yards the only time they really called Bazunu into action.
They nearly got their reward for their pressure in stoppage time when Bazunu dropped a corner and Lewis Cook turned towards goal but Mohammed Salisu was there to hack off the line for Southampton.
This game will be one Bournemouth targeted points from, especially with tough games against West Ham and Tottenham next on the agenda, but a four-point gap to the bottom three at this stage represents a decent start on their return to the top flight.
BBC Sport
