Ryan Christie stars as Bournemouth march on with win at Southampton

Ryan Christie starred as Bournemouth soared to fifth in the Premier League table by pushing south-coast rivals Southampton a step closer to relegation with a 3-1 win at St Mary’s.

Creative midfielder Christie conjured a fine assist for Dango Ouattara’s 14th-minute opener before swiftly firing home a superb second to help put the Cherries on the cusp of the Champions League qualification spots.

Substitute Marcus Tavernier sealed victory seven minutes from time after Kamaldeen Sulemana briefly created some jeopardy by halving Saints’ deficit.

Defeat for bottom club Southampton was their 20th of a miserable top-flight campaign as near neighbours Bournemouth deservedly claimed local bragging rights and a first league double in this fixture.

Ivan Juric’s beleaguered side sit 10 points from safety, having now played a game more than 17th-placed Wolves, while Andoni Iraola’s Cherries are dreaming of a maiden European adventure after climbing above Chelsea, on goal difference, and Newcastle.

Saints were seeking to record consecutive top-flight wins for the first time since February 2022 following a 2-1 success at fellow strugglers Ipswich before last weekend’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship club Burnley.

But that mission was quickly derailed during a blistering start from Bournemouth.

Ouattara claimed the early breakthrough, finding space between Southampton centre-backs Jan Bednarek and Nathan Wood to glance home via the far post with his shoulder following Christie’s delightful delivery from the left.

Lively Scotland international Christie went from provider to scorer by doubling the Cherries’ lead just two minutes later.

Saints captain Bednarek sloppily conceded possession deep inside his own half with a poor