Bournemouth 1-1 Southampton: Nathan Redmond shines in the wake of Pep Guardiola rampage as Charlie Austin cancels out Ryan Fraser's opener
- South coast rivals Bournemouth and Southampton drew 1-1 in Sunday afternoon's Premier League derby
- Ryan Fraser put the hosts ahead on 42 minutes, finishing a move that was started by a Wesley Hoedt error
- The Saints hit back just after the hour mark when Charlie Austin netted his third goal in as many matches
For all the frothy-mouthed, arm-waving madness that went with his message, Pep Guardiola might just have had a point about the attacking qualities of Nathan Redmond the other night. They certainly changed this game.
Was it the Pep talk that did it? That would be wildly overstating its significance. But there can be no doubting the impact Redmond had on this match, given how toothless Southampton looked in the first half while he sat on the bench and how effective they were once he came off it, with his side 1-0 down to a Ryan Fraser strike.
They were growing a little desperate by that point, having been too predictable in most attacks as they drifted towards a fourth defeat in five. What happened next was delightfully close to the ideal script, with the winger bringing some sparkle and delivering the assist for Charlie Austin around the hour mark. He might have snatched the win, too, with a skidding drive that faded wide.
Charlie Austin earned Southampton a point in Sunday's south coast derby by scoring a second-half equaliser for his side
Cherries midfielder Ryan Fraser put the hosts ahead on 42 minutes, scoring his second goal this season in all competitions
But former QPR forward Austin netted his third goal in as many games to draw Southampton level just after the hour mark
The 28-year-old frontman taunted Bournemouth fans by gesturing that they should calm down as he celebrated his goal
But a point it was and for both teams that was probably about right. For Southampton, it allows a degree of momentum after the disappointment of their late defeat against City and it also develops the argument that Austin should play a more active role in the side after his third goal in two starts.
Considering the side's struggles with scoring — just 23 goals in their past 25 league games — the 28-year-old would seem to offer the sharp edge that they lack.
Mauricio Pellegrino said: 'The confidence of a striker is something that is really difficult to train or to buy. You need to score goals. So when you've got a player in this moment, like Austin, it's really good news.'
For Bournemouth, there was a sense of irritation that went beyond them giving up a lead, with Adam Smith booked by Jonathan Moss for diving when appealing for a clear-cut penalty against Sofiane Boufal in the first half. The direct cost was not significant because Fraser scored not long afterwards, but longer term they have the problem of an unjust suspension for five bookings.
The first half was played in bright sunshine, causing fans to shield their eyes as they watched Charlie Daniels take a throw-in
Midfielder Oriol Romeu (right) made his 14th Premier League start of the season and battled for the ball with Adam Smith
Smith was booked for an alleged dive, but he was unlucky not to get a penalty after a sliding challenge from Sofiane Boufal
Right back Smith looked upset as he argued with referee Jon Moss, who handed him his fifth yellow card of the season
Moss gave Smith some steely eye-contact as he dished out the game's second yellow, having earlier booked Jermain Defoe
Southampton's Virgil van Dijk lost his marker from a corner but headed wide, wasting a good chance in the 12th minute
Bournemouth's players found Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster (left) hard to get past during the opening 30 minutes
England international Forster made a fine reaction save to deny striker Defoe his second Premier League goal of the season
Forster made another stop moments later, this time thwarting Nathan Ake by parrying the Cherries defender's diving header
But Forster was unable to keep out Fraser's well-placed finish which saw the ball slide into the net shortly before half time
An angry Eddie Howe said: 'I think it's a clear penalty, I really do. I can't work out what the referee has seen. That's football, you live and die by those decisions and I think he's got it wrong.
'It's hugely disappointing because not only do we not get the penalty but we lose Adam to suspension and it has a knock-on effect to the next game.'
Smith revealed Moss apologised and admitted his mistake. He said: 'I spoke to him after and he apologised and said it was a penalty. I don't mind him admitting it but the fact that he booked me and I can't get it rescinded, that means I'll miss the next game.'
Howe, like Pellegrino, accepted a draw was fair, but it will feel like more of a missed opportunity for Bournemouth. Indeed, it was telling that Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster was probably the best player on the pitch owing to notable saves from Jermain Defoe, Nathan Ake and Junior Stanislas.
Fraser found a way through and Howe is convinced the Scot can lift his side up the table. ‘He has had a slightly stuttering start to the season and this was a sign of his return to form,’ he said. ‘If he can, then he is a huge player for us.’
Fraser, who has now scored four goals in his Premier League career, was congratulated by Defoe and Andrew Surman (right)
Joshua King (left) also joined in the celebration, sharing a handshake with former Aberdeen and Ipswich midfielder Fraser
Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt covered his face with his shirt after being dispossessed in the build-up to the goal
Nathan Redmond (right) entered the action as a substitute as he replaced James Ward-Prowse at the start of the second half
Smith revealed that Moss had apologised to him after the game and admitted his mistake. He said: 'I spoke to him after and he apologised and said it was a penalty. I don't mind him admitting it but the fact that he booked me and can't get it rescinded, that means I'll miss the next game.'
Howe, like Pellegrino, accepted a draw was fair, but it will feel like more of a missed opportunity for Bournemouth due to the way they dominated before Redmond came on. Indeed, it was telling that Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster was probably the best player on the pitch owing to the notable saves he made from Jermain Defoe, Nathan Ake and Junior Stanislas.
Fraser found a way through and Howe is convinced the Scot is capable of lifting his side away from the lower reaches of the table.
'He has had a slightly stuttering start to the season and this was a sign of him returning to form,' he said. 'If he can, then he is a huge player for us.'
It was nearly 2-0 when King's drilled shot was almost diverted in by Junior Stanislas, who just missed the ball on the stretch
But Austin made it 1-1 after being set up by super-sub Redmond, who found the in-form striker with a precise cut-back
King forced a save out of Fraser Forster before the rebound hit Callum Wilson (above), who deflected the ball wide
Austin should have won the game, but he headed over from a fine Ryan Bertrand cross in the game's closing moments
Managers Eddie Howe (front) and Mauricio Pellegrino tried their best to motivate and organise their teams in Sunday's game
Former Alaves manager Pellegrino was seen pointing as he took charge of his 16th game since being appointed as Saints boss
Bournemouth manager Howe shook hands with Redmond — whose introduction was key in the match — after the final whistle
Redmond was seen in conversation with Cherries striker Jermain Defoe, who was hugged by England team-mate Forster
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