Few doubted that Russell Martin was struggling at Southampton this season. This lesson about the superiority of the south coast only confirmed this. When the Saints manager has credit in the bank, his team’s inability to learn from mistakes starts to hurt.

The best thing that can be said about the saints is that the number of saints provides security. This was the last chance for the promoted team to win the first six Premier League rounds.

Bournemouth had won once in their last nine games but they were a league above and although they faltered in the second half as the Saints came into the game after the pressure had largely eased, they remained a constant threat on the counterattack.

Two high-minded managers who didn’t like pushing the pragmatism button faced off, and pressing triumphed over possession. Before kick-off, Martin marched appreciatively towards the away fans with his arms outstretched. Andoni Iraola, serving a suspension, was forced into the stands for the most welcome first home win of the season which took his team over Manchester United.

Ryan Fraser, the former home hero turned hated Covid denier, was booed every time he was touched. Southampton fans showed their indifference towards Bournemouth by declaring their rivalry with Portsmouth the only ‘south coast derby’. With five forwards on the Saints’ bench, 18-year-old Tyler Dibling led the attack as a false 9 and his team actually started better. Maxwel Cornet’s shot was deflected behind and Fraser also made a save when the ball went loose.

Southampton’s Achilles heel all season has been vulnerability in possession and lack of care and attention after losing the ball. Bournemouth’s first goal followed the assist. Charlie Taylor’s shot up from left-back found Antoine Semenyo and when Flynn Downes fouled the winger, Marcus Tavernier’s quickly taken free-kick found Evanilson. After five games without a goal, including a fateful missed penalty against Chelsea, the Brazilian made no mistake. The first deposit was paid on his £40m fee and the £15m profit made from the simultaneous sale of Dominic Solanke.

Against Bournemouth, who attack in large numbers, it is not advisable to deny yourself possession of the ball. As the first half dragged on, Southampton were no longer able to play Martin’s prescribed ball play as Bournemouth pressured the game. Defense also became problematic. Semenyo burst into the box, checked and Lewis Cook’s shot deflected off Dango Ouattara and past Ramsdale, the goalscorer playing on the ball-watching Saints side.

Semenyo, now rampant and having toasted Taylor for that second, next turned Lesley Ugochukwu and fired a low shot beyond Ramsdale’s wingspan. The away team’s heads were bowed, despite Martin’s continued admonitions from the bench. Bournemouth were ruthless in exposing their team with five attempts, four of which were on target.

The fact that Fraser was one of three half-time substitutions for Martin brought great joy to the home fans, who were also joined by Ugochukwu and Cornet. Aside from Dibling, most of the starting XI deserved the attack after that dreadful half-hour, and two strikers were added in Ben Brereton Díaz and Ross Stewart, with Joe Aribo giving the midfield momentum as Dibling moved to the right wing. Was redemption highly unlikely? Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ header gave the visitors hope.

While the laser yellow jerseys surged forward, a comeback wasn’t out of the question. Martin, his voice now muffled, and his assistants pored over notebooks, looking for another rung to get back into the game. His team began to enjoy possession dominance, Bournemouth and their fans were no longer so sure of themselves.

Bournemouth sent on Justin Kluivert for Ouattara and Southampton’s dominance began to wane. Semenyo could have ended the contest, but he missed the mark after another sweep. Cook then intercepted in midfield and shot the ball straight to Evanilson, who this time couldn’t beat Ramsdale. Next Martin sent on Adam Lallana, the returning veteran had 20 minutes to salvage a result.

Lallana fired an effort wide but Bournemouth had the better chances as Ryan Christie missed the target and Luis Sinisterra forced a save from Ramsdale. If the Saints had shown improvement, it wasn’t nearly enough for this game or the challenges ahead.