Southampton’s Premier League status confirmed

Southampton secured their Premier League survival following a dramatic 3-3 draw against Bournemouth.

Matt Targett broke a 2-2 deadlock after James Ward-Prowse drew Southampton level. Southampton had blown an early lead with Dan Gosling and Callum Wilson scoring 12 minutes apart to cancel out Shane Long’s opener.

When Targett hit the back of the net to give Southampton a 3-2 lead with 23 minutes left, he gave his club’s survival hopes a gigantic boost. Cardiff City helped further when they fell behind at already relegated Fulham late on.

But Wilson added a second goal and brought Bournemouth on terms when Ryan Fraser, who had been a thorn since his early introduction, set up the forward when he fired a cross across goal to be turned in with four minutes remaining.

Cardiff City’s defeat, coupled with their own result confirmed Southampton’s stay in the Premier League. Brighton remains the only rival the Blue Birds could mathematically overhaul with two games to play.

Southampton: Gunn, Bertrand, Stephens, Bednarek, Valery, Hojbjerg, Romeu (Targett 46), Ward-Prowse, Redmond, Long (Austin 88), Ings (Armstrong 81).

Unused subs: Forster (GK), Ramsay, Sims, Lemina.

Goals: Long (12), Ward-Prowse (55), Targett (67).

Bookings: Romeu (26), Long (35).

Bournemouth: Boruc, Simpson, Ake, Cook, Mepham (Fraser 23), Clyne (Solanke 72), Gosling (Hyndman 53), Lerma, Brooks, Wilson, King.

Unused subs: Begovic (GK), Ibe, Mousset, Surridge.

Goals: Gosling (20), Wilson (32, 86).

Bookings: Gosling (45+2).