Follow live coverage as Southampton face AFC Bournemouth today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Southampton FC 1 - 3 AFC Bournemouth
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
17:07A fine away performance sees Bournemouth beat Southampton 3-1 in rather comfortable fashion and seal a first-ever league double over the Saints. The visitors showed just why and how exactly they're looking to compete in Europe for the first time in their club's history, as a devastating two minutes gave them a well-earned grasp on proceedings. The first goal arrived in the 14th minute, as Ouattara continued his role up front to great effect. A decisive Christie cross on the left found the Burkinabe's run perfectly, and he glanced coolly into the bottom-right corner. Just two minutes later, the provider turned scorer, as Christie pinged one into the bottom left from the edge of the area with Ramsdale at full stretch. The second half saw a brief resurgence as Sulemana powered home a well-taken effort in the 72nd minute. However, as the hosts ultimately failed to capitalise on their newfound momentum, a brutal Cherries counter proved fruitful. Semenyo dovetailed with Tavernier, and the latter drove across the box before smashing in an 83rd-minute sucker punch. The rock-bottom hosts exceeded their 0.55 xG but failed to deal with their decisive visitors. Iraola's side were good value for this win that now sees them move fifth, smartly exceeding their 1.16 xG. Thank you for joining us today, we hope you enjoyed the game!
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:56FULL-TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-3 BOURNEMOUTH
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:56The amount of red seats really comes as a depressing sight. All you can hear are the travelling Bournemouth fans celebrating a great day out. Saying that, Scott fouls Fernandes from behind and Archer scurries through on goal from the quickly-taken kick! Big blocking save from Kepa!
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:56Archer is nearly through for the hosts, yet Cook recovers brilliantly to prod the ball out for a throw on the near touchline.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:56As the Bournemouth fans jeer the slowly dissipating home crowd and claim the South Coast as their own, an additional six minutes of stoppage time is signalled.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:56Kerkez flies through down the left and pulls the ball back. However, he can't find either Semenyo or Sinisterra in the middle and the Saints clear!
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:54Ouattara also comes off after a day that saw a superbly-taken header. On comes Daniel Jebbison.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:50Christie wraps up a fine day with an assist and a goal. Luis Sinisterra emerges for the final exchanges.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:45Substitution Kamaldeen Sulemana Cameron Desmond Archer
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:44Substitution Joseph Oluwaseyi Temitope Ayodele-Aribo Ryan Phelim Manning
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:42Assist Antoine Serlom Semenyo
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:42Goal Marcus Joseph Tavernier
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:42Southampton are still hopeful of taking something from this game and their moves have looked promising in parts after the goal. Sugawara offers a tantalising low cross from the right, yet Kepa claims.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:42The corner comes to nothing following Walker-Peters' near-howler. However, Bournemouth stride onwards down the left with Semenyo. He plays it back across with Scott waiting to shoot, yet Walker-Peters is there just in time to poke away. Redemption.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:39WALKER-PETERS! IT'S NEARLY AN OWN GOAL! The defender heads back to Ramsdale as Bournemouth come forward. However, his header is high and tricky and the keeper has to tip it over in agile fashion!
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:36Yellow Card Marcus Joseph Tavernier
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:36The dynamic has changed now, as Bournemouth continue under the cosh. Ogochukwu forces a block inside the effort before the Cherries just get it behind for a corner on the right. This, is headed out, but the Saints keep pushing for parity.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:35Substitution Justin Dean Kluivert Alex Jay Scott
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:35Southampton tails and spirits are up now. Bree flies forwards onto a loose ball and fires a speculative effort goalwards following a cleared corner. However, smashing Tavernier in a vulnerable place, we see a brief stoppage.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:32GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL! 2-1! SOUTHAMPTON FIND A LIFELINE THROUGH SULEMANA! Aribo wins the ball from Tavernier in the centre of the Bournemouth half and plays it forward to Onuachu. The towering forward then plays it to Sulemana inside the Cherries' box and he smashes it low and hard past Kepa into the bottom-right corner! That's his first goal in the Premier League this season.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:32Assist Ebere Paul Onuachu
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:32Fernandes does brilliantly to keep the ball from Christie on the edge of the Bournemouth box. He jinks and turns before finding Sugawara on the right. The Japanese wing-back crosses, yet the Saints' bodies get in the way of each other and it looks to ricochet off the back of Ogochukwu's head. The cross into the box in the next phase is caught well by Kepa as the danger subsides.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:31There are some half-hearted calls for handball as Bednarek rises to a deep Southampton free-kick on the right. However, the flag is up for a different reason and Kepa can restart play despite Onuachu's reluctance to get out of the way.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:27Iraola goes for a change now as Brooks' race is run. On comes Marcus Tavernier.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:27Ugochukwu looks for Walker-Peters who has run so hard this afternoon. However, Zabarnyi is cool and collected to usher him away from danger. To their credit, Southampton keep the pressure up. Sugawara pings a low drive on goal from the right outside the 18-yard box. It takes a nick on its way through and Kepa makes a simple enough save.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:23Sulemana has another effort and this one is worse than the last! Walker-Peters keeps a left-sided ball in play and brings it in-field for Ugochukwu, Dibling and Sulemana to link-up smartly inside the box. The latter's final shot though is fluffy, high and out. He rightfully looks disappointed. Very tame and wasteful.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:21Sulemana shoots inside the area on the right, yet his effort is tame for Kepa to catch. The visitors counter and the move culminates with Brooks cutting back on his left and firing into a tackling Walker-Peters. Great block.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:20Sulemana jinks forward on the left edge of the box, yet his pass inwards to Walker-Peters is poor and intercepted. Bournemouth look to counter before giving away an offensive foul. We see a change in linesman now.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:18Bournemouth continue to try and restrict Southampton to their own final third. However, Aribo retrieves the ball, dances along his own byline and then blasts the ball away as far he can. It's tenacious defensive work.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:17Smallbone makes way now as Juric looks to Tyler Dibling to help reinvigorate the Saints' ranks. The teen's arrival brings a great cheer from the home fans.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:16SEMENYO! The winger weaves and glides inside the Southampton box from the left before firing on goal. It's a brilliant save from Ramsdale that denies him as he tips over the bar! From the corner, Ramsdale then somehow keeps a Christie header off the line in superb fashion!
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:12Zabarnyi bites on Onuachu's baiting, turned touch as he enters the box. However, the Ukrainian reacts brilliantly to block the giant forward's shot the right and send it out for a corner. The delivery gets stuck amid the legs in the area before the Cherries get it half clear. Aribo then drives into the box down the left, yet Christie covers smartly before being fouled by the industrious Nigerian international.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:11Smallbone challenges Adams on the near touchline. It's yet another bitty foul in this game's deep catalogue. Bournemouth keep the ball well now, as another theme of this fixture continues before Kluivert is penalised for tackling through Ugochukwu.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:08Sulemana wins a free-kick on the right from Kerkez. Smallbone delivers and Onuachu rises to glance tamely wide of the left post. They need to get that beacon up front more involved. Promising.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:07Southampton boss Juric is down on one knee here. Whatever helps to see the game better...
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:05We're back in action for the second half.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:04Welington makes way for Yukinari Sugawara at the interval as Southampton opt for a double change.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:04Substitution Nathan Dean Joshua Wood-Gordon Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
16:03Although proving to be quite gritty in the midfield battle, Southampton have been relatively flat elsewhere. Their creative sparks of Fernandes, Walker-Peters, and Sulemana have either been easily snuffed out or have hardly got going. They have a meagre 0.05 xG from that first half and, admittedly, need to find a more direct approach to break through Bournemouth's disciplined backline. The Cherries have had a lot of joy in transition and have also shown that they have just more than one route to goal. Their defence and low-lying midfield compact up the pitch nicely to keep their hosts tied down - resorting to long balls for Zabarnyi and Huijsen to beat Onuachu to. In a way, they've taken their foot off the gas at times following their quick one-two, yet while coolly exceeding their 0.71 xG, who can blame them?
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:57A quick two-punch knockout sees Bournemouth leading Southampton 2-0 at St. Mary's at the break. The visitors have shown just why and how exactly they're looking to compete in Europe for the first time in their club's history, with a devastating two minutes giving them a well-earned lead. The first goal arrived in the 14th minute, as Ouattara continued his role up front. Southampton were hemmed in before a decisive Christie cross on the left proved key. Ouattara's run met the delivery perfectly, and he glanced coolly into the bottom-right corner. Just two minutes later, the provider turned scorer, as Christie pinged one into the bottom left from the edge of the area with Ramsdale at full stretch. The Saints afforded their exciting visitors with too much space, and all it took was a simple pass from Kluivert to find Christie to power home smartly. Following a cagey period in the middle of the park, the end of the period could've seen more goals, as both Ouattara and Onuachu went close. However, with Southampton firmly the weaker of the two sides, their lack of cutting edge and defensive rigidity has been their downfall so far.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:53HALF-TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 0-2 BOURNEMOUTH
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:51There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of the first half.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:49Onuachu! Saints have looked relatively toothless today but they're starting to show their offensive abilities a little more now as Walker-Peters crosses well for Onuachu on the right. Somehow, the 6 ft 7 in striker can't get a touch on the delivery!
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:46Ouattara forces a save from Ramsdale! Semenyo runs powerfully through the Saints' core and leaves both Smallbone and Bree sprawled on the turf before slipping in his Burkinabe teammate on the left. The shot is low but Ramsdale is equal to the danger. The corner on the left eventually comes to nothing as Christie fires off-target.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:42Walker-Peters beats Kerkez excellently on the right to float in a ball back on his left foot. However, it's looping and can't find anyone in red and white. The ball ends up back at the feet of Ramsdale.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:41Southampton win a free-kick in a promising deep area on the left. Fernandes exploited Kluivert's rare loose touch and then was brought down. Will we see a solid Saints' chance near the end of this half? Smallbone floats it in, but Kerkez ends up carrying it away...
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:40Well, after beating Ipswich Town 2-1 last time out, Southampton were initially looking to win successive Premier League games for the first time since February 2022. However, with the two quick goals we've seen and Bournemouth's continued quality and competence on and off the ball, this looks far from a likely outcome.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:38Ouattara threatens to surge through the middle, yet the visitors opt for a more cautious, possession-based attack. Iraola's side are brilliant at sharing the ball and looking for fresh openings. Kluivert ends the move with a darting run in from the left and a powerful curling shot just going over Ramsdale's goal.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:33Yellow Card Antoine Serlom Semenyo
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:33A speculative Cook effort from range arrives as an easy stop for Ramsdale. However, it does hint at too much space for the hosts. A long ball searches for Onuachu but he loses his battle with Zabarnyi and we go back to seeing cheered Bournemouth passes.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:33Each Bournemouth pass is being cheered. Well, before Huijsen is chopped to the floor by Sulemana anway.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:30We see a scrappy period now, as neither side can firmly get a foot on the ball in the midfield. This quickly changes with Kluivert's involvement as Bournemouth begin to look more confident once more.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:29As a bleak statistic arrives for the hosts, showing that they've had just three touches in the Bournemouth area compared to their visitors nine in theirs, Southampton concede a corner on the right. The delivery is dealt with though.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:26Signalling the end of a momentary Southampton resurgence, Fernandes brings down Kluivert from behind as he tries to shift gears and start an attack. How much of an impact might he have today? With that earlier assist, the Dutchman has now contributed to seven goals in his last four away games in the Premier League (five goals, two assists).
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:25Southampton look to respond from a ridiculous two minutes of conceding as Fernandes drives forward. He plays it to the right of the Bournemouth box for Walker-Peters, yet the low ball across for Aribo is dealt with excellently by Zabarnyi.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:24Southampton have now conceded 30 first-half goals in 25 games. THat's more than any other side in the Premier League this season.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:18Assist Justin Dean Kluivert
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:15Assist Ryan Christie
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:15Semenyo and Kerkez buss positively on the edge of the Southampton area, but an eventual cross ball is half-cleared. It comes back in, and as Bednarek rises with Ouattara in the box, the Burkinabe bright spark nods off-target. He lands slightly awkwardly, but there's no real harm done and play quickly resumes.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:13After Southampton fail to use the free-kick on the left, they try and keep the play in the Bournemouth half. However, as he hauls Brooks down, Smallbone can only earn himself a booking instead of possession.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:11Southampton come close here as Onuachu is the desired target from a Welington low ball from the left. The big Nigerian is a bustling presence in the area, yet just can't get the ball where he wants it. After a Bournemouth move is then stopped, the hosts break again and Sulemana looks to dart away from Cook...
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:11Yellow Card Lewis John Cook
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:10As Iraola's name rings out from the away contingent, the men in blue get the ball under their control. It goes around the backline before Kluivert and Christie bring it further into the Southampton half. Kerkez goes in-field from the left to find Semenyo, yet the Ghanaian international's flicked touch can't find a teammate and the hosts recover on the edge of their area.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:07Fernandes peels away from a very congested midfield but there's no one with him. His eventual back-heel is straight to a blue shirt and before we know it, the ball is back with Ramsdale after an over-hit pass. Aribo then looks to make inroads up the left flank but is forced back. It seems Southampton are just trying to pick the lock and use their vocal home support to power them on. Everyone knows though, that beating Bournemouth will be a real test today.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:05After the first corner is punched clear by Ramsdale, the home backline is eventually dispossessed in the next phase and Ouattara has to be dealt with on the right for another set piece. It goes short before an eventually poor ball from Brooks doesn't help the visitors' attack. Adams then fouls Smallbone as the Irish international tries to spark a counter.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:04Kluivert takes the kick and we're off! Bournemouth immediately look for a fast start and win a corner as a long ball for Kerkez is put behind by the Saints' defence.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:02The captains of Bednarek and Cook meet with today's Australian referee. Following the coin toss, it looks like the visitors in blue will get us off and underway, kicking from right to left against their hosts in red and white.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
15:00Following their 3-1 win at the Vitality Stadium in September, Bournemouth are now looking to complete the league double over Southampton for the first time. This is the 15th different campaign in which they’ve met. Hopefully, this game will be another intriguing addition to this rivalry today. Head referee, Jarred Gillett, leads the players out onto the St. Mary's turf as both sides know what they need to do to better their respective seasons. Southampton need all the points they can get if they want to at least haul themselves off the base of the Premier League table. Bournemouth will want a firm performance here to assert themselves further on the teams above them in the top six.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:45For Bournemouth, in-form attackers Justin Kluivert and Dango Outtara come back in, after the Cherries' FA Cup win at Everton last time out, with Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra welcome inclusions on the substitutes' bench, following their respective injury lay-offs.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:45Aaron Ramsdale has been recalled to the Southampton starting XI to face Bournemouth this afternoon, replacing Alex McCarthy following the Saints' defeat to Burnley in the FA Cup last week. Jan Bednarek is also among the returnees, while Tyler Dibling and Cameron Archer are among Ivan Juric's attacking options on the bench at St Mary's.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:40SUBS: Will Dennis, Matai Akinmboni, Maxwell Kinsey-Wellings, Alex Scott, Ben Winterburn, Daniel Jebbison, Luis Sinisterra, Marcus Tavernier, Remy Rees-Dottin.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:40BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Lewis Cook, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Christie, Tyler Adams; David Brooks, Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo; Dango Ouattara.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:35SUBS: Alex McCarthy, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Charlie Taylor, Ryan Manning, Yukinari Sugawara, Albert Gronbaek, Lesley Ugochukwu, Tyler Dibling, Cameron Archer.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:35SOUTHAMPTON (3-4-1-2): Aaron Ramsdale; James Bree, Jan Bednarek, Nathan Wood; Kyle Walker-Peters, Will Smallbone, Joe Aribo, Welington; Mateus Fernandes; Paul Onuachu, Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:35Bournemouth look to boost their Premier League top-four hopes today when they take on basement club Southampton. The Saints are seeking revenge against the Cherries after they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the Vitality Stadium at the end of September last year. After ending their 13-game winless Premier League run with a 2-1 victory at Ipswich Town a fortnight ago, Southampton came up short at home against Championship promotion hopefuls Burnley in the FA Cup fourth round, losing 1-0 last weekend. Bournemouth find themselves in a strong position to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history, despite losing 2-0 at home to league-leaders Liverpool two weeks ago. This was their only defeat across their last 14 matches in all competitions (W9 D4). The Cherries bounced back with a 2-0 victory of their own in the blue faction of Merseyside, as they knocked Everton out of the FA Cup last weekend.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:30Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
14:35Hello, everyone, and welcome to this live text coverage of the Premier League's 25th matchday. Today, two clubs from the south coast clash as Southampton take on Bournemouth at St. Mary's.
Southampton vs AFC Bournemouth
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
