October 01, (THEWILL) – Bournemouth claimed their first home victory of the 2024/2025 campaign with a convincing 3-1 win against Southampton in a South Coast derby at the Vitality Stadium. The result leaves Southampton still searching for their first win since returning to the top flight.
The Cherries, who had lost their previous two matches without scoring, took an early lead through Evanilson. The Brazilian striker found the net after 17 minutes, converting a quick free kick from Marcus Tavernier. This goal ended Evanilson’s six-match drought and set the tone for Bournemouth’s dominant performance.
Bournemouth extended their lead before the half-hour mark when Lewis Cook’s shot deflected off Dango Ouattara and into the goal. Antoine Semenyo, who provided the assist for Cook, then added a third before half-time with a skillful solo effort. The home fans erupted as their team took a commanding 3-0 lead into the break.
Southampton showed signs of improvement in the second half, pulling a goal back through Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The defender redirected Yukinara Sugawara’s cross into the far corner, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. However, Bournemouth’s defense held firm for the remainder of the match, preserving their two-goal advantage.
The victory moves Bournemouth above Brentford and Manchester United in the English Premier League table. For Southampton, the defeat extends their winless run in top-flight away matches to 10 games. The Saints remain in the relegation zone, facing an uphill battle to maintain their league status this season.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
