Graziano Pelle and Steven Davis were the goalscorers, as Southampton beat Bournemouth 2-0 at St Mary's on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints came close with a few chances. One came in the seventh minute, when Pelle hit a one time shot that went just above the crossbar. The other in the 11th when Saido Mane just missed the back of the net. Both shots took deflections and went out for corner kicks.
Saints at the double
The Saints opened the scoring in the 31st minute, when Pelle nicely touched the ball forward to Mane, who then serviced the ball centrally to Steven Davis and Davis was able to slot it home, to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
About five minutes later, the Saints doubled their lead. This time by Pelle. As a ball, serviced high to Dusan Tadic was played, Pelle made his way into the box. Tadic took on the defender, then crossed the ball to the top of the six yard box, where Pelle found the cross with his head and netted home the goal.
As the half-time whistle neared, Bournemouth came close to a chance which was broken up by the Saints backline. As another chance came close, an attempted bicycle kick saw the goalscoring opportunity wasted, as the ball went out for a goal kick.
Bournemouth came close to pulling a goal back, on a free kick approximately 25 yards out. Unfortunately, the ball curled wide of the post, and Saints were granted another goal kick.
Early bath for Wanyama
Saints were down a man in the 78th minute, when Victor Wanyama saw a second yellow, and red card for a tackle just outside the 18 yard box, giving Bournemouth a dangerous spot for a free kick goal.
The opposition was knocking at the Saints backline yet again, when they had a clear cut chance to goal that was broken up by Saints keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. That sealed the game, and Saints were victorious.
Southampton nearly held equal possession with Bournemouth, but the opposition had more with a 51% to the Saints 49%. Bournemouth also had more shots than the home side, with 16 shots, to 11. And both teams held even with shots on goal, sitting at two a piece.
After this result, Southampton currently sit at seventh in the league table, with 17 points. Bournemouth on the the other end, are above the relegation zone, at 17th with eight points.
Next week, Bournemouth are at home against relegation scare side Newcastle United. Game time is set at 12:45 BT. Southampton are away on the road at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland AFC. And this game is set at 15:00 BT.
At home, once again, is where Southampton FC shine yet again. The season is bright for the Saints, and this statement win shows that they are contenders for a top five finish. The only question, can they keep the momentum going?