The win marks their first-ever league double over Southampton in the 15th campaign which they have met and while Europe, let alone top four, would have been a pipe dream at the beginning of the campaign, Iraola’s side proved they are serious contenders as the league’s most improved side.
Two minutes later, Justin Kluivert found Christie in space near the edge of the box and while the Southampton defenders watched, expecting each other to engage, the Scot lashed a shot into the bottom corner past a fully stretched Aaron Ramsdale.
When Ivan Juric promised Southampton fans “heavy metal football” at St Mary’s after replacing Russell Martin as manager in December, most supporters were hoping it would be their team that would see a lift in style and results.
Their opener came after 14 minutes when Ryan Christie found Dango Ouattara, who cleverly managed to time his run onside and deftly head home for his seventh Premier League goal of the season.
The hosts, rejuvenated by the home crowds’ emphatic response, pushed hard for an equaliser but the quality of Bournemouth shone through, as Tavernier’s smashing goal late on squashed any late nerves for the visitors.
