Southampton’s defeat ensured their joint worst ever start to a league campaign and on this evidence it is hard to see how they can arrest their dismal form.
With just one point collected from a possible 18, a trip to title hopefuls Arsenal awaits at the weekend and there are serious issues for manager Russell Martin to address at both ends of the pitch.
Not only have his side managed a meagre three goals this term – the lowest in the Premier League – only Everton and Wolves have conceded more than the 12 goals Saints have shipped to date.
In a recurring theme this term they caused their own downfall with some charitable defending and by putting themselves under pressure attempting to play out from the back.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis was caught on his heels for Bournemouth’s opener but even worse that several of his team-mates were not even facing play or alive to the possibility of a quickly-taken free-kick.
The visitors were also far too passive for Bournemouth’s second and third goals and in truth were deservedly beaten for the way they collapsed in 10-minute period before half time.
