Bournemouth continued their impressive form with a commanding 3-1 victory over Southampton in a south coast derby at the Vitality Stadium on Monday.
Brazilian forward Evanilson stole the spotlight, scoring his first goal for the Cherries, as Bournemouth brushed aside their local rivals in a comfortable win.
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Bournemouth took control of the game early on, with Evanilson breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute. The Brazilian forward, who was eager to get off the mark, made no mistake when Marcus Tavernier cleverly played a quick free-kick into his path.
Evanilson, demonstrating his sharp instincts in front of goal, calmly slotted the ball past former Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to give the home side the lead.
This moment marked a significant milestone for Evanilson, who had been looking for his first Premier League goal since joining the club.
His composure in front of goal and ability to capitalize on quick transitions will surely make him a key player for Bournemouth as the season progresses.
Bournemouth’s Second: Ouattara Adds to the Tally
Just before the half-hour mark, Bournemouth doubled their lead with a second goal that left Southampton reeling.
Dango Ouattara was credited with the goal after Lewis Cook’s powerful effort took a fortunate deflection off him.
The shot initially looked like a routine save for Ramsdale, but the deflection wrong-footed the Southampton goalkeeper, sending the ball into the back of the net.
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This goal showcased Bournemouth’s ability to create chances through sustained pressure, and Ouattara’s involvement was a reward for his hard work on the right wing.
The forward has been instrumental in Bournemouth’s recent success, and his energy on the flanks has helped the team break down stubborn defenses.
Bournemouth’s dominant first half was capped by Antoine Semenyo’s well-taken goal in the 38th minute. Semenyo picked up the ball on the edge of the Southampton penalty area, showing off his dazzling footwork as he twisted and turned past defenders before firing a low shot into the bottom-left corner.
Semenyo’s goal was the perfect finish to a superb first-half performance from Bournemouth.
His dribbling and composure in front of goal were a reminder of why he has become one of the most reliable attacking players in the squad.
This goal marked his eighth in 20 Premier League appearances, with the forward also contributing two assists in that time.
While Bournemouth enjoyed a comfortable evening, Southampton’s woes continued. The Saints, who have yet to win a game this season, managed to reduce the deficit early in the second half when Taylor Harwood-Bellis nodded in from a Mateus Fernandes cross.
Despite this brief resurgence, Southampton were unable to build on the momentum, and their lackluster performance in the first half ultimately cost them the match.
The defeat extends Southampton’s winless run in the Premier League to 19 games, a streak that has left them rooted at the bottom of the table. With the 2024-25 season now well underway, the pressure is mounting on Southampton’s manager to find solutions to their ongoing struggles.
After Southampton pulled a goal back, Bournemouth showed their maturity and resilience, controlling the game and ensuring there were no further defensive lapses.
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made some crucial saves, including one just before Southampton’s goal, keeping his side in the driver’s seat.
The remainder of the second half passed without major incident, as Bournemouth kept their composure and saw out the game comfortably.
Their defense, led by captain Lloyd Kelly, was solid throughout the match, ensuring that Southampton’s attacking threats were kept to a minimum.
Evanilson’s First Goal: A Sign of Things to Come?
For Bournemouth, Evanilson’s first goal in the Premier League is likely just the beginning of what could be an exciting season for the Brazilian forward. His ability to find space and finish chances under pressure will be a huge asset for the Cherries as they aim to climb further up the Premier League table.
Bournemouth fans will hope that Evanilson’s goal against Southampton marks the start of a prolific scoring run for their new signing. If he can build on this performance, the Cherries will have a potent attacking option to complement the likes of Semenyo and Ouattara.
