Ghana winger Kamaldeen Sulemana scores his first Premier League goal of the 2024/25 season for Southampton in their 3-1 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Dango Ouattara, Ryan Christie, and Marcus Tavernier sealed victory for Bournemouth at Southampton and moved them up to fifth in the Premier League.
The south coast sides are on different trajectories this season, evidenced as Andoni Iraola's team scored twice in the first half to put themselves in control at St Mary's.
Ryan Christie's cross was headed in by Ouattara, who is proving himself as a striker in the absence of injured duo Evanilson and Enes Unal, before Christie fired past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from the edge of the box.
Kamaldeen Sulemana set up a tense end to the match by halving the deficit in the 72nd minute, but Tavernier struck to sink the Saints and ensure the Cherries leapfrog Newcastle and Chelsea.
Bournemouth dominated for much of the game but did not have to be at their scintillating best to defeat a Saints side who, for all their endeavour, lacked confidence.
After Christie's cross was glanced in by an unmarked Ouattara, the hosts gave the ball away on the edge of their own box, and the Scotland midfielder punished them with a fine finish beyond Ramsdale.
The England keeper kept the deficit to two with remarkable stops from Semenyo—following a superb run—and Christie, before Sulemana gave the home side hope with a low drive.
Despite the boost his goal gave the Saints, they lacked the cutting edge to capitalise and were hit on the break by a devastating Tavernier finish.
Southampton remains rooted to the foot of the table, 10 points from safety.
Kamaldeen Sulemana excels, but Southampton's struggle continues
The former FC Nordsjaelland talismanic attacker, who lasted for 85 minutes in this afternoon's home loss to AFC Bournemouth, delivered a masterclass performance with a debut goal of the season for the Saints.
The 23-year-old had been struggling to get playing time at the club until the appointment of Ivan Juric in December 2024.
Sulemana has so far made 13 Premier League appearances for Southampton in the ongoing season's campaign with a goal to his credit.
He was heavily linked with a move away from St. Mary's Stadium during the winter transfer window, but none of the clubs met the demands of Southampton for the acquisition of the Ghana international.
