Eddie Howe hails Bournemouth's 'massive' win over Southampton

Eddie Howe called Bournemouth’s 2-0 win over Southampton as one of the biggest in the club’s history.

The Cherries pulled eight points clear of the relegation zone with victory over their south coast rivals at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday.

A goal in each half did the damage for the hosts with Steve Cook and Benik Afobe getting on the scoresheet, both courtesy of dangerous Matt Ritchie free-kicks which were poorly dealt with by Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

The victory was Bournemouth's first over Southampton in the league since 1958.

"It feels like a really big night for the club and the supporters," Howe said. "We spoke before the game about the importance of the game for them - it's been a long, long time since we've beaten Southampton. For our survival hopes it's a massive result too.

"I'm very pleased with everybody. It was a very good performance. We started well, put them on the back foot straight away and scored goals at important times, which we haven't always done when we've been on top."

Bournemouth striker Josh King epitomised his team's work-rate and commitment with a tireless performance up front for Howe's men.

It was a showing that drew significant praise for his manager as the striker had been at his wife's bedside during the last 24 hours as she was giving birth to their new baby.

"I'm very pleased with him," Howe said.

"It's an emotional moment when you have a child and that can work one of two ways - it can either drain you or inspire you. It inspired him tonight, especially in the first-half. I'm not sure how much sleep he's had in the last few days - I think he's been economical with the truth with me. He said he slept really well when I don't think he has. That's even more impressive."