Report

Southampton confirm safety with thrilling draw

27 Apr 2019

Matt Targett hits 1,000th goal of PL season in 3-3 draw as Saints stay up after Fulham's win over Cardiff

Southampton have confirmed their Premier League safety thanks to a 3-3 draw against AFC Bournemouth and Cardiff City's late 1-0 loss at Fulham.

Cherries striker Callum Wilson scored twice to deny Southampton victory at St Mary's Stadium but Ryan Babel's stunning strike for already relegated Fulham leaves Saints seven points above 18th-placed Cardiff, who occupy the final relegation place, with two matches left.

Position Pos	Club	Played Pl	GD	Points Pts
16	Southampton SOU	38	-20	39
17	Brighton BHA	38	-25	36
18	Cardiff CAR	38	-35	34
19	Fulham FUL	38	-47	26
20	Huddersfield HUD	38	-54	16

Southampton took the lead on 12 minutes when Shane Long converted Nathan Redmond’s cutback.

But AFC Bournemouth turned the match on its head before half-time as Dan Gosling finished a fine counter-attack and Wilson pounced on a loose ball.

James Ward-Prowse's long-range strike levelled the match on 55 minutes, before Matt Targett headed in Yan Valery's cross for his first goal in the PL and the 1,000th in the competition this season.

But Wilson's second goal earned a draw for the Cherries, who move up to 13th on 42 points.

Southampton remain 16th, with 38 points, but are seven points above the relegation zone with two matches left.

Cardiff are four points below 17th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, who went a big step towards securing their safety by drawing 1-1 with Newcastle United in the late match on Saturday.