An away derby sandwiched between a trip to the Etihad, and a visit from Arsenal, placed a heap of importance on Sunday’s contest with Bournemouth.
A 1-1 draw is just enough to keep fans and critics at bay after a Raheem Sterling heart-breaker in mid-week.
The game could have gone either way, with both teams creating chances they should have capitalized on. Sofiane Boufal, Dusan Tadic, Virgil van Dijk, and Charlie Austin were given opportunities in-form attacking sides would have taken.
However, after a great first thirty minutes from a confident Saints side, Bournemouth looked more likely to score, and did through Ryan Fraser in the 41st minute.
Austin, who came on as a substitute midweek, played the hero yet again, with a great equalizer from a Nathan Redmond pass. Giving the striker three goals in his last two starts.
Fans have to be happy with the increased tempo in a Saints side that will see the top six, four times before the New Year.Individual performances are trending up throughout the team. Although, here are the three key Southampton performers against Bournemouth.