A SENSATIONAL first half performance saw Cherries secure all three points over their south coast neighbours Southampton.

AFC Bournemouth scored goals through Evanilson, Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo before the break.

The Brazilian striker’s fantastic finish was his first for the club, before the Burkina Faso international diverted a Lewis Cook effort into the net.

Semenyo’s goal was the pick of the three, a sensational solo effort to send the hosts into the break three goals to the good.

A Saints goal from Taylor Harwood-Bellis after 51 minutes sparked some hopes for a comeback from the visitors, but they weren’t able to find the net again and Cherries secured the points.

Andoni Iraola made three changes to the team that lost to Liverpool at Anfield, with Justin Kluivert, Julian Araujo and Dean Huijsen dropping to the bench.

(Image: Richard Crease)

In their places, Dango Ouattara, Adam Smith and Marcos Senesi returned to the starting 11.

Russell Martin named former Cherries Aaron Ramsdale and Ryan Fraser in his side, with the latter receiving a frosty reception from the home fans.

It was the visitors that had more of the early chances, with a Maxwell Cornet shot deflected for a corner and Fraser saw his shot from outside the box saved comfortably by Kepa seven minutes in.

But Cherries took the lead after 17 minutes with striker Evanilson netting his first in Bournemouth colours since becoming the club’s record signing in the summer.

Antoine Semenyo was fouled on the right by Flynn Downes, and Marcus Tavernier showed fantastic awareness to take the free kick early, spotting the run in behind from the Brazilian.

(Image: Richard Crease)

The Saints defence were caught unawares and Evanilson did the rest, finishing first time past Ramsdale in the Saints net at the far post.

Cherries gained momentum after the opening goal, with much more energy in their play as Tavernier stung the palms of Ramsdale.

Mateus Fernandes saw the first yellow card of the evening for a foul on Senesi on halfway.

The lead was doubled on 32 minutes, after excellent work by Semenyo on the right wing to cut inside and find Lewis Cook in acres of space in the middle of the box.

Cook’s shot was fired towards goal and deflected off Ouattara and into the back of the Saints net.

(Image: Richard Crease)

It wasn’t long before Cherries had three, through a fantastic solo effort from Semenyo.

The Ghanaian picked the ball up on the right on the edge of the Saints box and drove across the top of the box, cutting back towards the right wing and taking three Southampton defenders out his path.

He then surged into the box and drove the ball past a diving Ramsdale into the bottom corner at the far post.

Tavernier was the first Cherries player to go into the book, kicking the ball away after the whistle was blown for a foul.

Cherries entered the break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

There were loud cheers as Fraser was one of three Southampton changes at the break, with Cornet and Lesley Ugochukwu also taken off for Joe Aribo, Ross Stewart and Ben Brereton Diaz.

Saints pulled one back after 51 minutes.

Kepa saved well in the Cherries net from a header from a free kick on the right taken by Tyler Dibbling, but Cherries couldn’t clear.

Fernandes’ resulting ball in was flicked by Christie into the path of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who finished well with his head low past Kepa.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Tyler Dibbling and Flynn Downes were booked after the former brought down a charging Milos Kerkez, and the latter complained to referee Michael Oliver about the decision.

Southampton gained some momentum after their goal and Brereton Diaz curled wide, as they pressed for another goal back.

Cherries made their first change of the night, bringing Kluivert on for Ouattara, as they sought to regain their foothold on the match.

Semenyo had a shot blocked, before Evanilson was played in but could only fire his effort straight at Ramsdale.

Adam Lallana was brought on for the visitors, before Kepa did well to palm away a cross into the box and Kerkez scrambled to divert a dangerous ball across goal behind for a corner.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Alex Scott and Enes Unal were the next to come on, replacing Tavernier and Evanilson, as Tyler Dibbling was replaced by Cameron Archer in the final change for Southampton with 14 minutes to play.

Christie went close with eight minutes to play, fizzing a magnificent effort just past the post from a bouncing ball after a blocked Scott shot.

Semenyo received a standing ovation as he was withdrawn with moments to play of the 90, replaced by Luis Sinisterra.

Sinisterra had an effort saved by Ramsdale one minute into four additional minutes.

But the three first half goals were enough to secure the points for Cherries.

(Image: Richard Crease)

AFC Bournemouth: 13, Kepa, 3, M. Kerkez (booked 50'), 5, M. Senesi, 27, I. Zabarnyi, 15, A. Smith (c), 10, R. Christie, 4, L. Cook, 11, D. Ouattara (J. Kluivert 61'), 16, M. Tavernier (booked 45'+1)(A. Scott 76'), 24, A. Semenyo (L. Sinisterra 89’), 9 Evanilson (E. Ünal 76').

Southampton: 30, A. Ramsdale, 21, C. Taylor, 35, J. Bednarek, 6, T. Harwood-Bellis, 16, Y. Sugawara (booked 52'), 26, L. Ugochukwu (R. Stewart 46'), 4, F. Downes (c), (booked 55'), 24, R. Fraser (J. Aribo 46'), 18, Mateus Fernandes (booked 27')(A. Lallana 70'), 22, M. Cornet (B. Brereton 46'), 33, T. Dibling (booked 55')(C. Archer 76').