Eddie Howe hailed Bournemouth’s first away win over south coast rivals Southampton as a “precious moment” after Friday night’s victory. Goals from Nathan Ake, Harry Wilson and Callum Wilson, with almost the last kick of the game, earned the Cherries a historic 3-1 success at St Mary’s.
Bournemouth, who had been deducted 17 points and were struggling in the fourth tier when Howe began his first spell in charge in January 2009, had registered just six draws from their previous 15 trips to their local rivals, losing the other nine, so the victory was particularly sweet for the manager.
“At last! It’s a nice feeling. Thankfully next time we come back that won’t be the topic of conversation,” said Howe. “But a really nice moment for our supporters to enjoy and for us all to enjoy together.”
The win on Friday saw the Cherries climb up to third in the Premier League table ahead of the majority of the latest round of fixtures and it was a timely reminder of how far Howe has brought the club from the lower reaches of the football league to their current lofty heights.
“When you consider how far this club’s come in recent years and how bleak the outlook was at times, to think we would win here in the Premier League, at one stage we would never have thought that was possible. “It’s a nice moment just to acknowledge that and now get back to work and try and win again,” Howe added.
After Ake’s early opener, Cherries forward Joshua King had a goal disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside call, before Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson ensured the visitors would take a two-goal lead into half-time.
James Ward-Prowse’s penalty early in the second period gave Saints hope of a comeback, before England striker Callum Wilson sealed the points in stoppage time with his fourth strike in three games.
