Southampton 2-0 Bournemouth: Ronald Koeman hails first-half showing

Ronald Koeman believes Southampton's first-half showing in their 2-0 win over Bournemouth was their "best of the season."

The Saints raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a fine team goal, finished off by Steven Davis, and a bullet Graziano Pelle header in the 36th minute.

However, the visitors put Koeman's men under pressure in the second half, with memories of Leicester's comeback at St Mary's last month fresh in the home fans' minds.

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Saints held on for the three points on this occasion, much to the delight of their manager.

"The performance was fantastic," Koeman told Sky Sports. "The first 45 minutes was the best football we have played this season."

"Great ball possession, fantastic movement and great goals - it was the best that the team can play.

"We learned a little bit from the Leicester game. We defended better, played better than we did against Leicester, but in the second half we lost too many balls, and lost control of the game.

"Every Premier League game is difficult, even at 2-0 up. There is always a reaction from the opponent.

"We won every battle in the first 45 minutes, but we did not carry that on after the break, but they only had one chance in 90 minutes.

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Victor Wanyama's late dismissal for two bookable offences did put on dampener on the afternoon for the Saints, and Koeman believes the Kenyan must be more careful in the future.

"You have to be a little more clever," Koeman added.

"The first one is easy to give as a foul and a yellow card. Maybe the second one was not so easy, but you have to think about it more. We will learn."

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