A Nathan Redmond masterclass helps Southampton down Bournemouth 3-0 as the Saints qualify for the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Southampton cruise through to the semi-final of the FA Cup with a convincing 3-0 triumph over AFC Bournemouth at Dean Court on Saturday.
It was a comprehensive display from Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men right from the beginning, as they completely dominated their Championship opponents. A series of sustained pressure on the home side eventually saw them make the breakthrough in the 37th minute through Moussa Djenepo, whose calm finish found the back of the net.
Southampton then deservedly doubled their lead just before half-time thanks to an incredible effort from Nathan Redmond, who then latched onto a rebound from the post to net the third goal around the hour-mark – effectively sealing the game in his team’s favour while also emerging as the best performer of the match.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will take a closer look at the individual performances of these two teams in this FA Cup quarterfinal this weekend.
Bournemouth
Asmir Begovic: 5/10
Asmir Begovic couldn’t have done anything to save any of the goals scored by Southampton this evening. He was left helpless by the lacklustre defensive support around him.
Jack Stacey: 2/10
Jack Stacey’s poor backpass led to Southampton’s third goal of the game, effectively killing all hopes for his team to make a late comeback in the game. He was pinned down by the opposition pressure for the most part.
Cameron Carter-Vickers: 4/10
Cameron Carter-Vickers was lucky to get away with an early own goal as it was overturned by VAR in what seemed like a close call. Nevertheless, it was a poor display by the on-loan Tottenham defender who was outclassed by the Southampton attackers.
GOAL! ⚽️ || Bournemouth 0-1 Southampton
Carter-Vickers puts the ball in the back of his own net
Listen live on @BBCRadioSolent #BOUSOU pic.twitter.com/7LCFSDCrRI
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) March 20, 2021
Steve Cook: 6/10
Steve Cook was perhaps the most promising defender for Bournemouth, using his imposing presence to dominate in the air. However, too much pressure made it difficult for him to hold the line for the Cherries.
Diego Rico: 5/10
Much like Stacey on the opposite flank, Diego Rico’s influence on the flanks was limited thanks to the constant pressure from the opposing attack.
Jack Wilshere: 5/10
Jack Wilshere got the closest to finding the goal for Bournemouth as one of his efforts was marginally wide. The former Arsenal star struggled to influence the game otherwise.
It’s so good to see Jack Wilshere out there for Bournemouth today! Still holds a special place in my heart pic.twitter.com/A2q3EyrPKD
— Cornish Gooner (@CornishGooner12) March 20, 2021
Ben Pearson: 4/10
Ben Pearson came in for the absent Jefferson Lerma in the middle of the park. Unfortunately for Bournemouth, he was simply not competent enough to deal with the opposition.
Rodrigo Riquelme: 5.5/10
Rodrigo Riquelme offered certain sparks in the Bournemouth attack with his technical qualities. However, his influence waned as the game progressed, with the attacker eventually being subbed just before the hour mark.
Phillip Billing: 6.5/10
Phillip Billing was perhaps one of the positives for Bournemouth in this game as the midfielder looked energetic and somewhat competent against the Saints. Would have been far more effective with better support around him.
Arnaut Danjuma: 5/10
Arnaut Danjuma looked lively, at times, using his dynamism to good effect. However, the Bournemouth winger wasn’t involved in the game enough to make any difference to the proceedings.
Dominic Solanke: 4/10
It was a poor display from Dominic Solanke, who did have a chunk of the ball but failed to make use of it. Looked clueless at times in possession, showcasing awful decision-making.
Substitutes
Jaidon Anthony: 5/10
Jaidon Anthony replaced Riquelme around the hour mark to add more energy to the Bournemouth attack. It didn’t work out too well for the home side though.
Sam Surridge: 5/10
Came on for the ineffective Pearson in the 56th minute. Didn’t do enough to make an impact on proceedings.
Chris Mepham: 5/10
Chris Mepham replaced Rico as the Cherries opted to change into a more attacking setup late in the game.
Gavin Kilkenny: N/A
A late replacement for Billing. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Southampton
Fraser Forster: 6.5/10
With Bournemouth attempting only two shots on target, it was a relatively quiet evening for Fraser Forster, although the former Celtic ‘keeper did well to deny one of the attempts on goal in the second half.
Kyle Walker-Peters: 7.5/10
Kyle Walker-Peters was a crucial outlet for Southampton on the right flank and was massively involved in the early own goal. Yet another impressive display from the former Spurs defender, who caused problems for the opposition with his movements out wide.
Semi-Finals here we come! #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/thZD3xBsKg
— Kyle Walker-Peters (@KWPeters) March 20, 2021
Jan Bednarek: 7.5/10
Jan Bednarek had an excellent game at the heart of the Saints backline. He was particularly useful with his long balls forward, propelling a few of the attacks, including the one that led to the early own goal that was ultimately disallowed.
Jannik Vestergaard: 7/10
While Bednarek impressed with his passing, Jannik Vestergaard’s towering presence at the back made it difficult for the Bournemouth attackers to make an impact on the proceedings. Won two out of three aerial duels.
Ryan Bertrand: 7.5/10
Ryan Bertrand was somehow even more impressive than Walker-Peters with his forays down the flanks. He was a constant source of support from the left flank, making life easier for his fellow teammates in the final third.
Stuart Armstrong: 8/10
Stuart Armstrong was one of the top performers in this entire game, making quite a statement with his energy, and direct style that took the Bournemouth defence by storm. He was unlucky not to find the back of the net, though.
James Ward-Prowse: 7.5/10
James Ward-Prowse was instrumental in the build-up to the third goal, intercepting a poor pass from Stacey to feed the attackers. A source of creativity throughout the course of the game.
Ibrahima Diallo: 7/10
Ibrahima Diallo offered the resistance in the holding midfield role, faring well in the absence of Oriol Romeu. With a bit more consistency, the youngster could turn out to be an excellent player.
Moussa Djenepo: 7/10
Moussa Djenepo scored the all-important opener with a calm finish past Begovic. The winger looked like a threat whenever he was on the ball, making life difficult for the opposition with his dynamism and pace.
Che Adams: 7/10
The in-form Che Adams had one of his goals chalked off due to offside but was otherwise impressive in the number nine role. He offered a lot of work-rate that helped Southampton retain their dominance on the proceedings.
Nathan Redmond: 10/10
Nathan Redmond was the undisputed man of the match in this convincing win for Southampton as he ran the Bournemouth defence ragged with his movement, dynamism and quick decision making that enabled Djenepo to score the opener.
Nathan Redmond was directly involved in all of Southampton's three goals vs. Bournemouth (2 goals, 1 assist).
An emphatic display from the Saints man. pic.twitter.com/tzZI4mveFu
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 20, 2021
The former Norwich star then pulled off an excellent finish himself to find the second just before half-time while the third goal came through a defensive mistake from the opposition. An absolute masterclass.
Substitutes
Jack Stephens: N/A
A late replacement for Bednarek. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Mohammed Salisu: N/A
A late replacement for Vestergaard. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Nathan Tella: N/A
A late replacement for Djenepo. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Kayne Ramsay: N/A
A late replacement for Walker-Peters. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Dan N’Lundulu: N/A
A late replacement for Adams. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
