Jay Rodriguez's brace fired Southampton to their first away victory in the Premier League since September in a convincing 3-1 win at Bournemouth.
The 27-year-old's fine double backed up a smart Ryan Bertrand strike as Saints rallied from Nathan Ake's opener to steal the south coast bragging rights.
Rodriguez rejected a loan move when boss Claude Puel joined Saints in the summer, and finally looks to be over the serious knee and foot injuries that have dogged his last two years.
A first league win on the road in six matches had Saints manager Puel feeling vindicated for leaving Jose Fonte on the bench.
Unsettled Portugal defender Fonte was seen deep in animated conversation with Saints manager Puel on the Dean Court turf shortly before the teams were announced.
Southampton's win will doubtless have left the club's French manager confident he made the right call in sticking to his rotation guns.