Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed his delight after securing Southampton’s Premier League status for next season following Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Bournemouth.
The point gained against the Cherries coupled with Cardiff’s defeat against already relegated Fulham was enough to secure Saints’ Premier League survival after another season spent battling to avoid the drop.
And speaking to the club’s official website following the entertaining draw, Hasenhuttl expressed his delight and the importance of remaining in the top flight.
We are very happy and also proud for this game. It was a crazy game with ups and downs, a fantastic start, then a time where we concede two goals which didn’t look very good for us. With a few changes at the break we came back into the game and took a one-goal lead then at the end we are lucky that we get the point.
We had a lot of chances in the second-half and I think the second-half was really good. We lost two points which is a pity but today it was more important to be safe. We know we still have a few weaknesses in our game, we have to develop a few things that aren’t perfect at the moment. But that’s the Premier League and today it was a tactical and very intensive game. I think, although we didn’t win today, it was a very important step for us because now we are safe. We can enjoy the next two games and look forward to next season.
Shane Long continued his resurgent run of form to give Saints the lead early on, though Dan Gosling equalised for Bournemouth eight minutes later.
Callum Wilson then put Eddie Howe’s side in front before half time, before James Ward-Prowse drew the home side level 10 minutes into the second half.
Matt Targett scored his first goal for the club to put Saints back in front with little over 20 minutes remaining, but Wilson’s second of the game was enough to earn Bournemouth a draw at St Mary’s.
